The goal of field research is the same as that of library and Internet research: to gather the information you need to answer your research question and to marshal the evidence you need to present your conclusions persuasively in your research paper. The only difference is where you conduct the research. Far from being at odds with one another — either philosophically or practically — the three research techniques complement one another. In most cases, an assignment that calls for field research will also benefit from library and Internet research. You can use the library and the Internet as sources of background information that can help you prepare for going out into the field. You can also use library and Internet research to follow up on a hunch you develop through field research. Similarly, field research can be used to extend and support research conducted in the library and on the Internet. After reading information, for instance, you can enrich your understanding of an issue by conducting personal observation or interviews.
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