1. Fieldwork GEOG 290 Geographic Analysis Dr. Sandy Clark

3. Before you do Fieldwork, you have to have a _______________ …..

5. Research Question!

6. How Research Starts Identify a problem to solve  State it in the form of a Question! But wait! How do you identify the problem that needs to be solved???

7. Get out in the Field and start by Observing!

8. Well… what are you waiting for??? Bring a notebook ! and let’s go!

9. Ok, now you have some potential questions just aching to be answered! now what…?

10. How Research Starts Identify a problem to solve  State it in the form of a Question! Form a hypothesis –the educated guess that answers the problem –set up a “testable” situation

11. Review previous research –Literature search or literature review –Where might your research fit in? –Do you notice a gap in the current research?

12. Into the Guts of Research Refine your question/hypothesis Determine type of data to be collected Hydrogeology student (and friend), southern Illinois

13. Primary Sources Raw or fresh data collected in the field without interpretation or commentary collected measurements (stream depth, met factors) original documents (deeds, letters, old church records) personal interviews Turtle collecting

14. Develop methodology – must plan! –Action –Resources Both in the Field and Beyond the Field (Lab, Office) Time and Resources are Limited !

15. Develop methodology – must plan! –Action What are you doing when? Time; deadlines –Resources Labor hours (“person power”): Self?; Volunteers or paid? Money Research equipment Vehicles and auxiliary equipment Travel concerns Technical resources: computers & peripherals Laboratory work: in-house or sent out?

16. Students in Texas measure stream dimensions. How much time do you have? Never enough! ASU student Steve Hawkins. Do you do the work yourself, or do you require the assistance of others?

17. Funding? Grant You (“out of pocket”) Donors – be careful! What costs Money? (What DOESN’T?)

18. Hazards

19. Rewards

20. How Research “Ends” Analysis –perhaps cartographical or statistical, etc. Conclusions –Back to the hypothesis: Confirm Fail to Confirm (  NEVER “Prove” or “Disprove”!)

21. The End??? - Old Research begets - Current Research begets - New Research begets - Future Research! * Good Research generates more Questions than you can Answer! Islamic astrolabes Mars Explorer

22. Why Do Research? Drive science & geography forward Professional demands Aesthetics Fun !