GEO3/5: GEOGRAPHY PAPER 3 UGANDA: Fieldwork

FOLLOW-UP STAGE/ POST FIELDWORK STAGE.

This is the last stage of carrying out field work. The different steps/activities conducted at this stage are done to organize the findings of the study so as meaningful conclusions can be made out the field work study. The following are the steps/activities that are conducted at this stage;

1. Presentation of data from different individual researchers/groups.
2. Discussion and organization of data presented.
3. Analysis and interpretation of data collected.
4. Finishing and polishing of sketches/ diagrams drowned in the field.
5. Making of geographical conclusions about the fieldwork.
6. Making recommendations about the findings of the study.
7. Compiling and writing of the report of findings about the field work study.
8. Dissemination of the report of findings to different stake holders.

METHODS OF DATA COLLECTION

These can also be referred to as techniques of data collection. They are used while in the field of study to gather and record data, however they have got advantages and disadvantages as explained below.

OBSERVATION METHOD

This is the use of sense of sight [naked eyes] to see and sort out the geographical phenomena in the field of study. It is normally used together with other senses like smell, feel etc.

Advantages of observation

• It approaches reality in its natural environment and obtains first hand information.
• It allows collection of a wide range of information.
• It offers data even when respondents are either un able or un willing to give information.
• It is less complicated and less time consuming compared to other methods.
• It isn’t affected by language barrier.
• It is cheaper and sometimes cost free.

Disadvantage of observation

• It fails to gather information about the past like historical events.
• It fails to study a person’s attitude and opinions.
• It covers a small sample which makes it inappropriate for making generalizations about a bigger population.
• The effect of interaction of the phenomena may not easily be got by mere observation
• Some information such as numerical data cannot be obtained like incomes, number of workers, etc.
• In case of difficulty in gaining entry in an area of security concerns, no data will be obtained by observation method.

INTERVIEWING METHOD

It involves physical interaction between the interviewer [researcher] and the interviewee [respondent] in the field where the interviewer asks verbal questions to the interviewee who also gives verbal answers.

Advantages of interview

• It is helpful in a situation where it is impossible to observe geographical phenomena directly.
• It becomes easy to obtain historical and statistical information about the phenomenon under study.
• It enables the collection of data about a person’s feelings, attitude and opinions.
• It obtains more and relevant information.
• The interview method can facilitate development of cordial relationship between the interviewer and respondent.

Disadvantage of interview

• It is costly and time-consuming in case of making appointments, travel cost, etc.
• The respondent may decide to be hostile and give false information.
• It is affected by the language barrier and the respondent may speak too fast to record the information.
• Suspicions may develop in case of research on incomes, prostitution, slums and respondents give false information.

RECORDING METHOD

This involves the use of stationery like note books, pens, pencils to jot down the collected data in the field. It can be supplemented by other tools like cameras, audio recorders to capture data. The data captured may be in form of notes, sketches and diagrams, tables, videos and still photos etc.

Advantages of recording method

• It is flexible and convenient because it can be done in different ways.
• It ensures permanent records about the field study for future purposes.

Disadvantages of recording method

• It is time consuming since the researcher has to take notes in the field.
• Sometimes it is difficult to record if the researcher has no skills of recording.
• Some information may be skipped if the respondent is very first and the researcher is slow in taking notes.

SAMPLING METHOD

This involves selecting part of a whole to represent a whole (the rest). The selected portion is studied and its characteristics are taken to represent those of the other with similar characteristics.

Sampling may involve choosing few people from a group who the interviewed.

Sampling may also be through random picking of soil samples from the field of study that are then studied to represent the entire area.

Advantages of sampling method

• It is time saving because a portion is selected to represent the rest.
• First-hand information is got since information is got on spot.
• It is accurate if carefully conducted.
• It provides a representative sample that enables the study of a large area.
• It gives unbiased information because the researcher comes into direct contact with the phenomena.
• It yields a lot of information because the sample is studied in details.

Disadvantages of sampling method

• It tends to generalize too much and some of the unique characteristics of geographical phenomena are left out.
• Effective designs of a sample can be difficult and sometimes expensive.

MEASURING METHOD

This involves the use of calibrated tools e.g. tape measure and none calibrated tools e.g. a string, a tin to establish the length, size, height, weight etc. of a geographical phenomenon in the field.

Advantages of measuring method

• It is very accurate if calibrated tools are used.
• It is an efficient way of obtaining information.
• It enables the researcher to get quantitative information about a geographical phenomenon.
• It is very flexible because different tools and techniques can be used.

Disadvantages of measuring method

• It faces a problem of inaccuracy where none calibrated tools are used.
• It is limited by inaccessibility e.g. presence of flooded swamps, hills that make measuring difficult.

PACING METHOD

This is a form of measurement where distance of a geographical phenomenon is established using relatively calculated strides/paces. This is specifically used to determine distances.

Advantages of pacing method

• It is a very quick method of establishing distance.
• It very cheap since it does not require buying measuring tools.
• It is time saving since one just needs to take strides she/he counts while counting.

Disadvantages of pacing method

• It lacks accuracy since it is not calibrated and each individual may have varying length of their strides.
• Presence of physical features e.g. swamps, forests may make pacing difficult.

QUESTIONNAIRE METHOD

This is a method of data collection where predetermined questions are used to collect data about a geographical phenomenon. The questions are are written down on a piece of papers (questionnaires) that are then mailed/posted/delivered to the respondent who answers in writing and then sends them back to the researcher.

Advantages of questionnaire method

• Relevant information is likely to be obtained since the respondent is given ample time to fill-in the questionnaire.
• It minimizes on bias since many respondents are used.
• It becomes useful in a situation where there is less time and money to organize a fieldwork study
• It tends to be a consistent and uniform way of collecting data thus no variation.

Disadvantage of questionnaire method

• Sometimes different respondents interpret questions differently hence give varying answers.
• It restricts the number of respondents since mailed questionnaires are used only for literate people.
• Sometimes the return rate of questionnaires is low and some may not be returned to the researcher.
• Many questions in the questionnaire may not be answered which hinder the research carried out.
• It becomes costly especially when many questionnaires have to be printed and posted.
• It is time consuming in case the respondents delay to return the questionnaires.

 MAP ORIENTATION METHOD

This is a method of data collection which involves turning or rotating a base map/survey map of the area being studied until the features on the base map tally with the features on the actual ground.

Advantages of map orientation method

• It enables a researcher to get information about location and position of features in the field.
• It saves time because it does not require moving a lot around the field in order to get data.
• It enables a researcher to get data about local names of geographical features in the field.

Disadvantages of map orientation method

• It is limited by lack of a survey map/ base map of the area of study.
• It is quite difficult to use if the researcher lacks skills of map reading.

LITERATURE REVIEW/DOCUMENTARY ANALYSIS METHOD

This is a method of data collection in which reference is made to already existing information about the field of study in text books, journals, photographs etc. it involves comparing primary information ( information the researcher has gathered from the field) with secondary information(information already published in books).

Advantages of literature review method

• It helps in getting background/historical information about the area of study.
• The information given has high levels of accuracy because it is got from first source.
• It enables one to compare information with the findings of earlier researchers.
• It is time saving because the information is got from already published records.

Disadvantages of literature review method

• It is limited by lack of recorded information about the geographical phenomena.
• It might be expensive because it may involve buying the recorded information like text books etc.

FIELD SKETCHING

Field sketching is a form of data recording where data is recorded in books in form of sketches where representations of both physical and man-made features of the environment of the field of study are drawn. Such features may include transport networks, buildings, gardens, vegetation, hills, rivers, swamps etc.

There are three types of sketches which include;

1. Sketch maps

This is the layout of the field of study, it is drowned to show location/position of physical and man-made features studied in the field. Sketch a map should bear a key, title, frame, and compass direction. Symbols are used to represent features shown on the sketch map.

2. Cross section

It can also be called a transverse section/relief section/transect. Here features of the field are represented along a line drowned from one point (direction) to another of the field of study. It should bear a title, beginning and end point e.g. East to West.

3. Panorama

This can also be called a landscape sketch or panoramic view ,this is a sketch showing geographical features as drowned from point of view (normally from a raised ground) and pictures are used to represent  features as they are seen in the field of study. It should bear a title, boundary and view point.

SKILLS THAT ARE ACQUIRED FROM FIELD WORK STUDY

• A researcher gets a skill of critical observation through the use of the observation technique.
• A researcher gets a skill of interviewing through the use of interview method.
• A skill of recording information is acquired through the use of recording method.
• A skill of developing a questionnaire is acquired through application of the questionnaire method.
• A researcher gets a skill of making measurements through the use of measurement method.
• A skill of researching is acquired through the use of literature review method.
• A skill of report writing through making the report of the findings of the study.
• A skill of analyzing data is acquired through analyzing data collected to get valid information.
• A skill of sampling is acquired through application of sampling method.
• Skill of map reading is developed through the use of a base map in the map orientation method.
• A skill of map drawing is acquired through use of sketching technique

Note. These questions must be attempted after the follow up stage, meaning that the researchers/ students have gone through all the three stages of conducting fieldwork.

PROBLEMS/LIMITATIONS OF FIELDWORK

a)It tends to be time consuming i.e. a lot of time is taken to gather, information.

b)Language barrier may hinder communication with the local people in the area being studied

c)It is expensive in terms of transport, equipment and other expenses.

d)It may be hindered by poor or bad weather conditions such as rain, fog, hot sunshine.

e)There is a risk of accidents and danger from wild animals or insects.

f) Tall trees or obstacles like tall buildings may obstruct observation.

g) Noise in the field may disrupt interviewing during field work.

h) Some people or respondents in the field are uncooperative i.e. may refuse to give information.

i) Lack of adequate equipment or tools e.g. Survey maps, Cameras, Weather instruments etc.

j) The school administration or community leaders may sometimes not allow field work on the grounds that is time consuming and tends to interfere with the school programme.

GEOGRAPHICAL KNOWLEDGE OBTAINED FROM FIELDWORK.

a)Knowledge on the physical background of the area e.g. relief, natural vegetation etc.

b)Knowledge on the utilisation of the environment for economic activities.

c)Knowledge on the socio-cultural and political uses of the environment.

d)Knowledge about the interrelationships between the physical and the human factors.