Chapter 10- The Bedford Researcher

Chapter 10 of The Bedford Researcher discusses the significance of field research. Field research can be conducted in several forms such as interviews, observations, and surveys. Field research is an important part of any research project, as it can grasp the opinions, thoughts, and beliefs of those who have been directly affected by the issue you are writing about.

Deciding who to interview will be the first step as you plan your interview. When you are conducting an interview, TBR suggests you keep in mind your research question, the role you are adopting, and the kind of information you want to collect. Next, you should decide how to conduct the interview, for example, face-to-face, by telephone, or a written interview. Keep in mind the pros-and-cons of each interview method. Recording your interview and taking notes will be the most important part of the interview process. When you are finished, you should go back and analyze the results as your would any other source.

Similar to interviewing, observing a live situation pertaining to your issue can be incredibly useful. It can provide valuable, first-hand information you would likely not be able to find through other sources. If it would be useful  to conduct several observations, in different settings, you should do so. TBR suggests you keep your reasons for conducting an observation, and what you hope to gain from it in deciding what to focus on during the observation.

Surveying is another form of field research that may be useful to your research project. They are helpful in answering the “what” and “who” questions, such as, “who will vote for the next election?”  Surveys are not always the most useful form of field research. However, if you are trying to collect information about the attitudes and behaviors of a large group of people, surveying may be a great option. TBR suggests you ask your question clearly, and with integrity.

The bottom line for this chapter is to not underestimate the power of field research. It can give you first-hand knowledge that  would be difficult to capture simply using the internet, books, newspaper, or magazines.