Fieldwork design

1. Research questions and hypotheses

a) identify a topic or thesis from textbooks, news articles, websites

b) craft a question that outlines a specific scope and a measurable hypothesis about two variables

How cool is this?  Look at how policy makers help  in designing a COOL environment.  

This can help to sparkle a  research question and hypothesis for you to carry out a geographical investigation!
source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/environment/cooling-singapore-project-comes-up-with-86-ways-to-help-island-beat-the-heat

What are the difference between a research question and a hypothesis?

• A  research question is one that outlines a specific scope for investigation related to the topic whereas the hypothesis is a statement consisting of two or more measurable variables. 

• A research question is often used where little research exists or when the relationships between the variables are uncertain whereas a hypothesis is often used when a large body of research on the topic is available and relationships between the variables are quite certain.

• Thus a research question is inquisitive in nature whereas a hypothesis is predictive in nature.

• Many possible conclusions may be formed at the end of the investigation from a research question whereas a definite conclusion is formed at the end of the investigation for a hypothesis. 

• Example of a research question: How does the temperature in the school field change over the course of a day?

• Example of a hypothesis: The temperature of the school field is highest at 3 pm.

5 stages of fieldwork design: 

(i) planning research question or hypothesis, 

(ii) data collection and methods, 

(iii) data analysis, 

(iv) data presentation, and 

(v) conclusion and evaluation.

2. Data collection sequence through primary and/or secondary sources

a) collect quantitative data, then design qualitative data collection to examine patterns and trends

b) collect qualitative data, then design quantitative data collection to verify observations

Primary data is data that is collected first-hand

• Examples of primary data: 

  • Photographs and field sketches  

  • Responses from questionnaire surveys and interviews   

Secondary data is data that is collected by someone else 

• Examples of secondary data: 

  • Books, newspaper articles, journals and maps produced by other authors 

• Information which students can refer to from secondary data online:

• Statistics  in reports/journals

• News articles

• Satellite images

• Online maps such as Google Maps

What are the differences between quantitative and qualitative data?

Quantitative data is data that can be quantified and measured.  An example would be data from questions that offer limited responses such as closed-ended questionnaire surveys. 

Qualitative data is data that are not easily measurable and is subjective in nature. An example would be questions that allow participants to give free-form responses, and hence participants are able to express their fullest range of views, preferences or emotions, such as open-ended responses in questionnaire surveys or semi-structured interviews.  

3. Limitations and risks

a) adjust research aim, study area, sample size and timeframe according to available resources

b) implement measures to avoid harming oneself, other people and nature

Here are some questions which you need to consider in your fieldwork design:

• What do I need to collect?

• When am I able to conduct the fieldwork?

• Which location(s) do I need to consider?

• How much time do I have in order to complete the data collection?

Photographs above: Students collected primary data at Chinatown 2019,  outside Punggol MRT station 2018 and in school 2018. Make a guess what type of data they are collecting.

What are risks in fieldwork?

Potential risks in fieldwork must be considered to ensure that mitigation measures are implemented to avoid harming people and nature. 

For example, before collecting data from the Singapore Botanic Garden, fieldwork groups should understand the study area and to anticipate any potential risks that may occur.

Being at the Botanic Garden, fieldwork groups should be aware, for instance, that they should not disturb the wildlife such as monitor lizards and chickens, or pollute the area when they are collecting the data.

Photographs taken at the Singapore Botanic Garden on 17 June 2022   http://mrslilylee.blogspot.com/2022/06/botanic-garden-day-trip.html

To minimise the hazards of falls and cuts:

• To wear proper footwear.

• Teachers to caution students of uneven ground surface, steep slopes or jagged rocks.

• Teachers should be equipped with first aid kit at field site and to be able to render first aid when required. 

To minimise the hazard of getting lost or isolated:

• The students are to work in group.

• The students are to  carry their handphones with them and to contact their teachers during an emergency.

• The students have access to the map of the area to help navigate around the fieldwork site.

• The students can arrange for a meeting place should one of them get separated from the group