Field work

Field work

:"This article is about the scientific method. For the military term, see Field fortifications under Fortification."

Field work is a general descriptive term for the collection of raw data. The term is mainly used in the natural and social sciences studies, such as in biology, ecology, environmental science, geology, geography, geophysics, paleontology, archaeology, anthropology, ethnomusicology, linguistics, and sociology, although it is also used in other subjects, such as in auditing. It is more technically known to scientific methodologists as field research.

Field work, which is conducted in situ, can be contrasted with laboratory or experimental research which is conducted in a quasi-controlled environment. In survey research, field work refers to face-to-face or telephone interviewing.

The interviewing or observation of people to learn their languages, folklore, and social structures constitutes field work. Especially when humans themselves are the subject of study, protocols must be devised to reduce the risk of observer bias and the acquisition of too theoretical or idealized explanations of the actual workings of a culture.

See also

* Participant observation

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • field|work — «FEELD WURK», noun. 1. = field work. (Cf. ↑field work) 2. a temporary fortification for defense made by soldiers in the field. field work, 1. scientific or technical work done in the field, as by surveyors, geologists, or naturalists. 2. plowing …   Useful english dictionary

  • Field-Work — Field|work, Field Work [ fi:ldwə:k ], das; s [engl. field work, eigtl. = Arbeit im Gelände] (Soziol.): Field Research …   Universal-Lexikon

  • field|work|er — «FEELD WUR kuhr», noun. a person who does field work …   Useful english dictionary

  • field work — noun an investigation carried out in the field rather than in a laboratory or headquarters • Hypernyms: ↑research * * * field|work «FEELD WURK», noun. 1. = field work. (Cf. ↑field work) 2. a temporary fortification for defense made by soldiers in …   Useful english dictionary

  • field work — noun a) A temporary fortification in the field If any person, without lawful authority, makes or attempts to make any sketch, drawing, photograph, picture, painting, model or note of any fort, battery, field work, fortification or any military… …   Wiktionary

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  • Field Work (Heaney) — Field Work (1979) is a collection of poems written by Irish Nobel laureate Seamus Heaney …   Wikipedia

  • field work — Work in the field, specifically the task of gathering data from the field. Includes the sphere of practical operation, as of an organization or enterprise; also, the place or territory where direct contacts as with a clientele may be made, or… …   Black's law dictionary

  • field work — Work in the field, specifically the task of gathering data from the field. Includes the sphere of practical operation, as of an organization or enterprise; also, the place or territory where direct contacts as with a clientele may be made, or… …   Black's law dictionary

  • field work — work done (by students, interns, etc.) to gain practical experience through firsthand observation; gathering of information through observation of subjects in their natural setting (common in anthropology, sociology, etc.) …   English contemporary dictionary

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