What is field research - Stages, characteristics and techniques

"Research" is the activity that aims to obtain new knowledge or expand information, data that are used to solve problems in the scientific field. According to the object of study, it is possible to classify it into the following types: analytical, applied, basic and field.

Field research is what we will analyze throughout this post, seeking not only to provide a definition in conjunction with its characteristics; but also develop its stages and find techniques that allow it to be carried out effectively.

It is a type of research used to understand and find a solution to a problem of any kind, in a specific context. As its name indicates, it is about working on the chosen site for the search and collection of data to solve the problem.

The researcher must enter into context to understand how the problem can affect that place, as well as consult nearby sources; data that you will obtain and must analyze taking into account the different factors, such as psychological, educational, social variables, among others.

field research

Features

  • The research is carried out in the place where the problem or object of study exists.
  • The researcher achieves deepen knowledge for increased security and support when handling the information collected.
  • It relies on previous data to be able to plan the work to be carried out and the subsequent analysis of the information collected.
  • The data collected is obtained through techniques such as interviews and questionnaires.
  • The investigator in some cases must lie about his identity, so that he can get more information from the affected people, for example.

What are the types of field research?

The types can be classified into two categories: exploratory and focused on the verification of hypotheses; of which different variants appear according to the reasons that make the researcher go to the site of interest.

  • Exploratory: It consists of the participation of the researcher in the place where the object of study is located, in order to evaluate the site and analyze the elements that can be observed; this in order to try to find a pattern that relates different aspects and thus be able to make "predictions" about the behavior that the phenomenon will have.
  • Hypothesis verification: This is the one in which the person in charge of carrying out the research must face the environment where the object of study is; since the objective of it is to find an explanation to the phenomenon.

Steps 

It is necessary to know the stages carried out in its elaboration process; such as determining the problem, assessing the resources, choosing the appropriate tools or techniques, among other steps that we will see below.

stages of field research

Determine the problem

The main thing is to determine the problem to be treated and define it, that is, although it may be a problem that affects not only the place we have chosen, but also other sites in the same territory or even worldwide; The idea is to limit ourselves only analyze and evaluate the situation the location of interest for the investigation.

Choose the right tools or techniques

Once we know the problem, situation or phenomenon that is affecting the site, it is time to choose the tools or techniques of this investigation. Among them there is a great variety of options, such as interviews, questionnaires, experiments and more, which we will see in another section.

To choose the appropriate techniques, it will depend on the problem presented and the objective or purpose for which the investigation will be carried out.

Use the tools

Once we have chosen the techniques to use in the investigation, we must know how to use them correctly and effectively. For example, when preparing an interview, we need to know what questions we will ask those affected.

Data analysis

When collecting data with techniques, they must be analyzed objectively; so that there is no room for manipulation by the researcher; since the purpose is find the solution to the problem (if it really exists), not to refute the researcher's theory, which in some cases may be wrong if the first of the field research stages started on the wrong foot.

Expose the data obtained

Finally, an instrument such as the essay will be used (to give an example) to present the data that have been obtained from the problem, as well as the existing theories about it and possible solutions or questions that invite the reader to reflect.

What are the most used techniques?

There are several techniques for field research that can be used in this type of research, although as we mentioned in the “choice of tools” stage, you will be able to choose the one that is most effective for the purpose of the work.

For example, in the case of evaluating quantitative factors, the use of the survey is recommended; while for the qualitative ones, an unstructured interview is much better.

Field experiments

The experiments allow evaluate the behaviors of individuals in their daily lives, which brings the researcher even closer to the situation or phenomenon he is looking for. However, the problem is that the subjects, if they are aware of the experiment, can modify or alter part of their behavior and thus provide erroneous data for the investigation.

Comment

One of the most used methods, regardless of the purpose of the work, only that it varies depending on it. Its function is not only to "see" but to analyze each of the aspects, that is, the object of study will be evaluated in all senses. This can be passive or participant.

In the case of the passive, it refers to the fact that the researcher keeps observing and / or analyzing from the outside; while the participant, as its name implies, is when the researcher is present in a group that is affected.

Poll

It is an extremely interesting and useful method, since it allows it to be carried out to a large number of people and without the need to be with them (we can send it by mail, for example). The technique allows questioning of those affected or unaffected. The only thing is that we must know how to elaborate the questions of it.

Interview

It can be said that it is the opposite of the survey, due to the fact that it is also a technique to interrogate, but in which we have direct contact with the people in the investigation. However, they are related to each other.

  • This technique allows obtaining much more detailed and elaborate data, in addition to the fact that the people who interact in them tend to have more knowledge about the problem or phenomenon to be studied.
  • There are the structured or unstructured interviews. The first refers to the one in which we previously elaborated a series of questions in a specific order; while the second to the free interviews that usually about when we do not have enough data to elaborate questions of the first type.

Life stories

Techniques where it is intended to collect data from people for the subsequent elaboration of a collective (or personal) memory referring to the object of study. For this technique you can not only listen to people, it is also possible to find interesting data in letters, newspapers, among others.

Discussion groups

Finally we find the discussion groups, which are usually used for qualitative purposes. These are usually used in conjunction with the interviews, since the data is first obtained individually and then proceeds to evaluate the group of people for more information with regard to social structure and other aspects.

We hope that the entry about field research, its characteristics, stages and techniques has been to your liking. If you still have any questions or want to contribute more content, do not hesitate to use the comment box that you will find a little further down.


4 comments, leave yours

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.

  1.   KARINA DOMINGUEZ MAGANA said

    HELLO EXCELLENT THE INFORMATION THAT YOU SHARE US THANK YOU

  2.   angel of the o said

    Excellent information, thanks

  3.   Mary Mirabal said

    Hello good evening, excellent information.

  4.   NOA said

    Hello, I would like to reference this page and cite the author, so I would love to know the name (s) and surname (s), as well as the year of publication

    Thank you