Field Research
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ScribdTranslationsField Research:
Characteristics, Types
Techniques and Stages
Field research is the collection of information.
outside of a laboratory or workplace. That is to say, the data that is needed to
Conducting research takes place in real, uncontrolled environments.
For example: biologists collecting data at a zoo, sociologists who take
data from real social interactions, meteorologists who collect weather data in
a city.
Definition of field research according to
authors
Santa Palella and Feliberto Martins
According to researchers Santa Palella and Feliberto Martins, the research of
The field consists of the direct collection of data from reality, without manipulation or
control the variables. Study social phenomena in their natural environment.
The researcher does not manipulate variables because the environment is lost.
naturalness in which it manifests.
Fidias Arias
For the researcher Fidias Arias, field research is one in which the
data are collected or come directly from the subjects being investigated or from the
reality in which the events occur (primary data).
In this research, variables are not modified or manipulated; that is,
The researcher obtains the information, but does not alter the existing conditions.
In field research, secondary data is also used.
they can come from bibliographic sources.
Arturo Elizondo López
The Mexican Arturo Elizondo López indicates that a field investigation is underway.
composed of data sources based on the facts that occur
spontaneously in the researcher's environment and by those generated by them to
to know a phenomenon.
The researcher turns to any of the sources in order to get closer to
a trial that allows him to verify or reject a hypothesis.
Mario Tamayo
Finally, researcher Mario Tamayo states that in the research of
field data is collected directly from reality, which is why they are called
primary.
According to Tamayo, the value of this lies in that it allows one to ascertain the true
conditions under which the data have been obtained, which facilitates their review or
modification in case of doubts.
Design
The design in field research refers to the use of reality by
part of the researcher, which allows us to affirm that there are as many designs as
researchers.
Each research is a unique design that the researcher presents based on
determined reality.
It is the structure of steps to follow in the research, exercising mastery of the
same with the purpose of finding reliable results concerning the unknowns
arising from the hypothesis or problem.
Compose the best maneuver for the researcher to follow for the appropriate solution.
of the proposed problem.
Design is also a series of progressive and organized activities.
adaptable to each investigation and suggesting the steps, tests, and techniques to
to be used for the collection and analysis of data.
Types
The most relevant types of field research design are:
Survey design
It is attributed solely to the social sciences. It bases its premise on the fact that for
to study specific behavior of people, it is ideal to ask them
directly to them in their environment.
Statistical design
Take measurements to determine the value of a variable or a group of them.
variables. It is based on the quantitative analysis or numerical evaluation of phenomena.
collectives.
Case design
Absolute research of one or several objectives to study, which provides a
broad and detailed knowledge of them.
It is based on studying any unit of a system to be in
conditions of knowing some ordinary problems of the same.
Experimental design
It consists of subjecting an object or group of individuals to study under certain conditions.
controlled conditions or stimuli to observe the effects that occur. It is
seeks to find the cause of a phenomenon.
Quasi-experimental design
It is closely related to experimental design, but not in
strict control of the variables.
In quasi-experimental design, the subjects or objects of study are not assigned.
randomly to the groups are not paired, but rather those groups are already formed
before the experiment.
Non-experimental design
These are studies conducted without the deliberate manipulation of variables.
and in which phenomena are only observed in their natural environment to then be
analyzed.
The non-experimental design can be transactional or cross-sectional. In this case
they fulfill the purpose of collecting data to describe variables and analyze their
impact at a unique moment. Cross-cutting design is divided into:
Exploratory: as its name indicates, it is about starting to get to know the
variables that will be involved in the research at a specific moment.
Descriptive: they examine the impact of modalities, categories, or levels
one or more variables in a population, where the obtained results are described.
-Correlational-causal: this type of design seeks to establish the relationship between
variables without determining the causes, or analyzing the cause-effect relationship.
The non-experimental design can also be longitudinal or evolutionary. In this type
in design the data is collected at different times in order to
analyze its evolution, its causes, and the effects.
A final subtype of non-experimental design is the ex post facto design, which is
refers to when the experiment is conducted after the events have occurred and
the researcher does not manipulate or regulate the conditions of the test.
Stages
The stages or steps to follow in order to conduct field research usually
are linked to the approach, the model, and the design of it.
In this sense, for Tamayo, the methodology for carrying out a research process
the field can follow the following structure:
Selection and delimitation of the topic
The choice of topic is the first step in conducting research.
must clearly determine the area of work of an investigable problem.
Once chosen, the delimitation of the topic proceeds, which is related to
the feasibility for the research to be developed.
In the delimitation, the review of knowledge and the scope must be taken into account.
and limits (in terms of time) and the material and financial resources needed
to conduct the research.
Identification and formulation of the problem
It is the starting point of the study. It arises from a difficulty, from a need.
that needs to be addressed. In identifying the problem, a situation is isolated.
particular of a set of concrete phenomena.
Once identified, a title is chosen for that problem; it is about
The rationalization of what is going to be investigated must be a clear and summarized idea.
of what the problem is.
Once it has been rationalized, a concrete approach must be made.
problem, which establishes the guidelines of the research that are aimed at
achievement of goals.
Setting Objectives
It is about the purposes for which the research is carried out. Based on
the researcher makes the decision making and that is what is going to generate
results. These objectives can be general and specific.
Creation of the theoretical framework
It symbolizes the foundation of the research, expands the description of the problem and addresses
the characteristics of the phenomenon to be studied, which establish the variables that
They will later act in the data collection.
This section includes the following elements:
Background: as its name indicates, it is data, concepts or
previous works used to assess and interpret the issue.
Conceptual definition: allows the organization of the extracted data from
the reality and the relationship that exists between these.
Hypothesis: it is the assumption of an unestablished truth. It is the link
between theory and research, proposes the explanation of certain
phenomena and directs the research of others.
Variable: it is used to denote any particularity of reality
determined through observation and that manifests various values
from one observation unit to another.
Methodology: it is an ordered procedure or set of steps to follow
to establish a relationship of reliability between the results
obtained and the new knowledge. It is about the general method that
allows to effectively achieve the research objectives. It is
here where the techniques and procedures intervene for the
conducting the study.
Report: it is in this section where everything is recorded in writing that
it happened during the investigation. It is where the are recorded the
concepts, the observations made and, of course, the results
obtained during the field study.
Main techniques
Two types of techniques can be addressed in field research that allow
the researcher to obtain the information for their study: data collection techniques
data and techniques for processing and analyzing data.
Techniques and instruments for data collection
These techniques vary depending on the study approach.
If it is quantitative (it requires the measurement of variables such as: age, gender, etc.),
The most suitable technique will be the survey, a previously structured questionnaire.
through which responses from the subjects are obtained.
On the contrary, if the information or data to be collected is of a specialized type,
scientific or expert, the structured interview can also be applied, which also
based on a pre-established questionnaire directed at specialists and that only admits
closed answers.
If the research is oriented towards a qualitative approach, that is, not measurable or
quantifiable, the appropriate technique would be an unstructured interview, focused on
thoroughly understand the perspectives of the subjects.
In this case, a case study would also be appropriate, which is based on the
observation of an episode to understand the different elements involved
in the interaction that is generated.
Other techniques that can be used in data collection are the
observation, the experiment, the life history and the discussion groups, among
others.
Processing techniques
These are the procedures to which they will be subjected and the way in which they will be
the data obtained in the study or research are presented.
It is about the classification, registration, tabulation, and, if necessary, the
coding of the same.
Data analysis
Regarding the techniques related to analysis, induction stands out, through
which analyzes the whole from one of its parts; and deduction, which proposes
the opposing vision and seeks to analyze a specific element based on a
generality.
Another data analysis technique is synthesis, which involves analyzing the parts.
from a situation and the general characteristics of the whole can be identified.
Finally, statistics, both descriptive,
as inferential.
References
A Guide to Field Research
Pine Forge Press.
Doing Fieldwork
3. TransMilenio: integrated mass transit system (Bogotá,
Colombia). Retrieved from Habitat.aq.upm.es on the 20th of
December 2017.
4. Sampieri, R., et al. (2010) Research Methodology (5th edition)
Edition). Mexico. McGraw-Hill Publishing.
5.