An Introduction to Research Processes

Back to Finding Sources in the Field

A visit to observe at first hand may well be essential in field research. Before conducting an observation, find out if you will need permission to visit a site. If you decide to observe a setting such as a private business or a school, you will need to make an appointment. As soon as you arrive, identify yourself and your business. Some receptionists will insist on identification. You might ask your instructor for a statement on college letterhead declaring that you are a bona fide student doing field research. Follow-up field trips may be necessary if, while you are writing, you find gaps in your research or if new ideas occur that you'll need to test by further observation.

You will want to take notes while conducting an observational visit, lest you forget any important details when it comes time to incorporate your ideas into your paper. In addition to jotting down any interesting facts you learn, record any telling details or sensory impressions.

You may also want to consider using a still camera or a videocamera. Even if you are only an amateur photographer, taking pictures in the field may greatly advance your research. Some photographs may serve as illustrations to include in your paper; others may help you remember details while you write. One student of architecture, making a survey of the best-designed buildings in her city, carried a 35mm camera and photographed each building she intended to describe. A student of sociology, looking into methods used to manage large crowds, found it effective to carry a videocamera to a football game. Later, watching a few crowd scenes in slow motion, he felt better able to write lively and accurate accounts of how police and stadium guards performed their jobs.