In this lesson we are going to discuss the Field work Procedures including:i. Identification of topicii. Identification of area of studyiii. Statement of objectivesiv. Formulation of objectivesv. Preparation for the field studyvi. Actual Field study
Answer Text: Field Work Procedure (Steps Followed) 1. Identification of Topic/Theme - Reason why you want to carry out field study e.g. ‘A study of rocks around the school’ 2. Identification of the Area of Study - Determining the area to be used for study.- Should be chosen carefully to ensure that the field study is successful. Conditions It Should Meet a) Should contain sufficient information b) Should be within a convenience distance to reduce expenses 3. Statement of Objectives - Stating aims of carrying the field study.- Act as guidelines to activities to be undertaken during field work. They should be simple, brief, testable and achievable. E.g. for the topic ‘A study of a local farm’ Objectives could be stated as follows: • To find out methods of farming in a local farm • To identify the cattle breeds in the farm• To investigate the problems facing the farm. 4. Formulation of Hypotheses - Assumptions set before field work whose validity or acceptance is to be proved. Types of Hypotheses • Null Hypothesis (Ho) - One stated in negative form e.g. ‘There is no relationship between rainfall and crop yield’.• Alternative/Substantive hypothesis (H1) - One stated positively e.g. ‘most foodstuffs sold in the neighbourhood don’t come from the immediate neighbourhood’. Quantitative words should be used e.g. more, most, majority. It should not be obvious. 5. Preparation of the Field StudyIt involves: a) Seek Permission from Relevant Authorities -Seeking permission from school and authority in the area you are visiting. It is important to: • To avoid being denied permission to enter there • Enables individuals to set early the suitable date and time of visit• Helps to arrange for a guide to conduct you around b) Conduct Reconnaissance (Pre-Visit) -A familiarisation tour of the intended area of study. It is important to: • To determine appropriate routes to be taken • Enables to get documents from officials• Helps one to identify the appropriate methods of data collection • Helps to identify appropriate equipment to be used c) Hold Discussion In Class -Looking through formulated objectives and hypotheses. It’s important to: • Determine their suitability • Make adjustments • Decide upon data recording methodsd) Preparation of a Questionnaire - Important where the interviewer is not able to be with respondents for a long time. e) Dividing Into Groups • To ease congestion in the area of study • To create order during field work • To reduce fatigue among participants• To help participants collect data within the time given f) Preparation for Documents • Topographical maps to show the routes you will follow • Tables for filling in information • Permission documents g) Reading through Relevant Books - Reading about the topic and the area of studyImportant in that it helps participants to know: • The kind of data they need to collect• The techniques to be employed in the field. h) Preparation of a Work Schedule -A timetable to be followed on the day of field study. It is important to:• Indicate the specific time when each activity should take place • Reduce time wastage by ensuring proper time management • Ensure all important areas are covered and none is forgotten • Provide an estimate of total time required for study i) Selection of Important Tools and Equipment- Tape measure and rulers for measuring, pencils for drawing sketch maps, notebooks for writing notes, polythene bag for sorting and carrying samples, cameras for taking photographs, geological hammer getting rock samples and hoe for digging to get soil samples, etc. 6. Carrying Out the Field Study -Setting off to go to the area of study to look for data where techniques of collecting and recording data are applied.
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