Field Research: Techniques and Designs
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsField Research: Techniques and Designs
Uploaded by
ScribdTranslationsField research:
features, design
techniques, examples
A field investigation or field study is atype of
researchin which data about an event is acquired or measured
, in the place where they happen. That is to say, the researcher is
go to the site where the phenomenon you want to study occurs, with the
purpose of collecting useful information for your research.
Examples of field research would be biologists taking data in
a zoo, the sociologists who take data from real social interactions
or the meteorologists who take weather data in a city.
On one hand, field research can collect data with the
objective of expanding knowledge to conduct a study. On the other hand,
the information obtained can be used for practical purposes, performing
diagnoses and suggesting changes to modify some type of situation
undesired.
Likewise, field research provides the researcher with the opportunity
to have a broader understanding of the obtained data, since
will directly know the real conditions through which
obtained such information, being able to modify or review it if any type arises
of doubt.
Characteristics of field research
Some of the most important characteristics of a research study
field are the following:
Location
Field investigations are conducted at the site where it occurs.
event that will be studied by the researcher, having to
to travel there to capture the necessary data.
Original sources
The researcher has the possibility of collecting the data directly in the
place of the events, which gives it greater control both in the
essence, as in the quantity of the same.
Data collection
The acquisition of the necessary data to carry out the research is
can be carried out through observation, interaction with the subjects of
study (using surveys or interviews), and also, referring to
existing information.
Time and costs
Since it is necessary to carry out a
data collection at the scene, the time and costs of the
they can be high.
Field research design
The design of a field research is the way or method by which
which the researcher is going to carry out the research. It refers to the
development of a research plan, in which the techniques and
instruments used to obtain the desired information.
Depending on the type of research that needs to be conducted, there are
different models of research design, some of these are:
Pre-experimental designs
In this type of design, the researcher has no control over the variables.
that affect the study, so a data collection is carried out beforehand.
and after such variables are applied. Finally, they are compared.
obtained data.
Quasi-experimental designs
In quasi-experimental designs, the researcher has control over a
of the variables that affect the group to be studied.
Unlike experimental designs, in quasi-experimental ones the
researcher conducts the study on previously formed groups. It is
for this reason that the results obtained in this type of design can
become less reliable.
Experimental designs
In this type of design, the researcher has control over all the variables.
that intervene in field research. In this way, by introducing
variables or causes, you can see the reactions of the subjects studied.
In addition, they have the freedom to form or select groups for their
after study, under the conditions that it considers necessary.
Field research techniques
Field research techniques are the techniques through which
the researcher will carry out the data collection they need for their
research. It is the way in which the obtaining or capturing of
information at the scene.
Due to the great diversity of phenomena or events that can occur
studied using field research, there are different types of
techniques that allow the collection of information, which are
based on the type of data that needs to be obtained.
Below are the different techniques used to carry out
I completed a field investigation.
Field experiments
The use of field experiments allows us to observe how...
they develop the behaviors of the studied subjects in their habitat
natural, by introducing a foreign variable to it, enabling the researcher
the obtaining of firsthand data by closely observing the reactions
what he/she is trying to investigate.
However, if the subjects notice that they are being studied, it is possible that
they change their naturalness in behavior, thus losing objectivity
from the study.
The data collected through the use of field experiments are
of the quantitative type.
Observation
Researcher observing a penguin in theAntarctica
The technique of observation can be applied in two different ways, one of
they are in a passive manner, where the researcher is limited to observing the
study subjects from the outside, and the other is participant, getting involved in
the study group and sharing their experiences with them.
Depending on the technique used to carry out the research, the
The data to be collected vary in type. In the case of passive observation,
the collected data will be quantitative, and in the observation
participant, qualitative.
Survey
The survey technique is carried out using a questionnaire,
fact that allows reaching a large number of people at the same time
time, without the obligation to make contact with them, as it can be
delivered by any means, both digital and physical.
Interview
An interview
In the interview, the researcher meets the subject of study of
in a personal way, asking questions to obtain information. Thanks to
this, the type of information obtained is very detailed, since the
the researcher can delve into the questions they deem necessary to
obtain the information.
There are two forms of interviews for its execution, the interview
structured, consisting of a guide of previously prepared questions
made, and the unstructured interview, where the interviewer goes
formulating questions to get the information you need, as you go along
he is talking with the subject.
Life stories
This type of technique is used to obtain information about the shape or
the way of life of a community during a certain period of time.
To carry it out, one can rely on narratives and stories obtained from different
people, or also of historical files found in media
communication, newspapers or letters, among others.
Discussion groups
When a focus group technique is used, the information obtained
it is qualitative in nature. In addition, it can be used as a complement to the
interview, allowing the collection of data about the social structure or the type
of ideological current that the group of studied people has.
Instruments
Researcher collecting data from an Amazon dolphin
The instruments are the tools used in a research.
from the field, with the aim of capturing information, classifying it, and even
make it more understandable for further analysis.
Therefore, the instruments are divided into three main groups:
Regulatory instruments
The ordering instruments are used, as their name suggests,
to organize the data obtained in a research, where the way in
they are arranged depending on the type of instrument used.
Some examples of regulatory instruments are the following:
Records.
Guides.
Files.
Catalogs.
Payrolls.
Field diaries.
Listings.
Indices.
Classifying instruments
Classifying instruments are used to form groups of data.
which share certain predetermined characteristics,
such as time, magnitude, place, or behavior, among others.
Some examples of classificatory instruments are the following:
Diagramas.
Samples.
Frames.
Tabulations.
Statistical representations.
Graphs.
Bills.
Instrumentos diagramáticos o cartográficos
These types of instruments enable the observation of the data at a glance.
view, as they are represented through symbols, images or
maps. This is why they are mostly used when working
in rural areas, market studies or censuses, among others.
Some examples of these instruments are:
Territorial maps.
Plans.
Schemes.
Diagrams.
Maps.
Descriptive letters.
Advantages and disadvantages of research
field
Researcher collecting data in a jungle
As in most research, field research counts
with a series of advantages and disadvantages. Below are some listed
of the most important.
Advantages
Thanks to the fact that in most cases the information is taken on-site.
where the events to be investigated naturally occur,
researcher will obtain data without any kind of adulteration, and will have a
greater knowledge of the applied variables.
In addition, it allows the researcher to obtain a greater degree of
understanding of the real situation you wish to study.
Disadvantages
One of the most important disadvantages of this type of research is
what to see with the high economic cost involved in conducting research
from the field, since the researcher has to move around in several
opportunities at the place of study.
Another disadvantage is the time needed, as achieving a good
the amount of data that needs to be observed, surveyed, or interviewed for several
people, for several days.
Examples of field research
Some examples of field research may be the following:
The zoonosis of SARS-CoV-2
Researcher with a bat
Research conducted in China has shown that the SARS virus-
CoV-2 was transmitted through zoonosis from bats. For this,
researchers had to conduct field research taking
data on cave bats from China and other parts of Southeast Asia.
Investigations with stranded whales
To understand what causes whales to be stranded is
It is necessary to go to the beaches where the event occurs and gather data.
Intel and consumption in Europe
In 2002, Intel through its subsidiary People and Practices Research and
under the direction of anthropologist Genevieve Bell, I was looking for a way
efficient to market in Europe.
They visited 45 homes in small, medium, and large cities in 5 countries.
from Europe for 6 years, concluding that it was not possible to speak of a
Only Europe and each country has its own idiosyncrasy.
However, the field research was able to gather enough data to
more effective marketing in each country of the Old Continent.
Invasion of animals during the lockdown, Spain
In 2020, many cities in Spain reported as animals typical of the
Rural areas and fields delved into the city, which was completely unusual.
Wild boars in Madrid or Barcelona, goats in Albacete, roe deer in Valladolid and
even a bear in a village in Asturias.
This phenomenon occurred during the lockdown period due to the virus.
respiratory issue that affected the country (like the rest of the planet) during that time.
year.
Field researchers observed that the reason was due to the
reduction of human beings on the street, less pollution and
pollution, as well as less noise or direct dangers such as cars.
At the same time, they reported that once the confinement stage was over and
as normal activity resumed, the animals would begin to abandon the
urban cores to more favorable environments for their survival, something that
it has already happened in other areas where the same phenomenon occurred (province of
North China)
Study of tourist behavior in the City of
Mexico
To carry out the study, field research can be conducted.
using the passive observation technique, where the researcher
explore areas of the city where there is the most tourist traffic,
observing the behavior of tourists, and collecting data for the
research.
Study of the acceptance status of a company
internet services in Rosario, Argentina
One of the ways to carry out this study is by distributing a
survey in different neighborhoods of the city, either physically or through
email, and asking a series of questions that may help
as information to know the company's acceptance status in
different locations of the city.
Study to understand the satisfaction of customers of
a mobile phone company
In this situation, the interview technique can be used by conducting them.
both to customers who purchase products from the company, and to customers who
They make claims. Thus achieving a general overview of the situation.
Observation of traffic conditions on a boulevard
principal
This study can be conducted using the technique of passive observation.
obtaining data on the amount of traffic on the avenue at different
schedules and days. In this way, a real perspective can be obtained of
References
1. Graterol, R. (2011). Research Methodology. Retrieved
from [Link]
2. Guzmán, J. (2019).Técnicas de Investigación de Campo: Unidades
Support for Learning. Retrieved from
[Link]
3. Loubet Orozco, R. (2020). Data collection: techniques of
field research. Retrieved from [Link]
4. Muñoz Rosales, V. (2002). RESEARCH TECHNIQUES
FIELD I. Retrieved from [Link]
5. Sabino, C. (1992). The research process. Retrieved from
[Link]
