Fieldwork Methods and Techniques

obligatory courses

The subject is a review of selected research methods and techniques used in the field, useful for geographers in social and natural research. The aim of the classes is to organize the knowledge about conducting a field research by means of a diagnostic survey.

Classroom and field classes

The aim of the exercises is to go through the full research process, from research planning, its implementation in the field and summing up. Based on the theoretical foundations of the survey, the student will analyze the indicated research problem.

The concept of scientific knowledge and the principles of scientific research. Cognition as the goal of observation.

Reminder of the stages of research work from project creation to scientific publication.

The specificity of field research - possibilities and limitations (differences in physical and social research). Research techniques. Creating a research project with the use of a diagnostic survey. Verbalization of the question and purpose of the study. Principles of a good survey. Creating a questionnaire and its verification (pilot studies in the field). Field surveys. Organizing and coding data and analysis of research results using a spreadsheet. Presentation of research results and conclusions. Construction of a scientific article.

Performing tasks requires individual work and teamwork.

Literatura wyjściowa:

Chojnicki Z., 1999, Podstawy metodologiczne i teoretyczne w geografii. Bogucki, Poznań.

Dumanowski B., 1990, Wstęp do badań dla geografów, WGiSR UW, Warszawa.

Iwańczak B., 2010, Wizualizacja komputerowa w Geografii, czyli poradnik z recepturami krok po kroku. Wyd. WGiSR UW, Warszawa.

Knowledge: The student knows the field research methods and techniques and their application, knows the rules of writing a scientific article.

Skills: on the basis of theoretical knowledge selects a method and technique to a research problem; uses basic and advanced research techniques; can calculate the sample tested in the case of a quantitative test; applies the correct rules for creating a survey questionnaire; adapts research techniques appropriate to the issue; independently draws conclusions from the conducted research; uses its own solutions at every stage of the research process; creates and implements a research project with the use of a diagnostic survey.

Attitude: the student has a reliable attitude in conducting the survey.

Competences: understand the legitimacy, benefits and limitations of conducting field research and the use of selected techniques.

The final evaluation takes into account: partial works (team work, individual work, field work report, draft article in accordance with the established rules). Possible absence from one of the exercises.

Credit from 60%; average of the works performed per grade.

No.