Conducting field research can be time intensive. If you and your classmates are working on an assignment that involves fieldwork, consider forming collaborative teams to collect information. You can use one or more of the following strategies:
If you are conducting an observation or attending a public event, you’ll find that a single perspective might limit your ability to see what’s happening. If another classmate is also conducting observations, you can help each other out. You might observe at the same time as your classmate so that together you can see more of what’s happening. Or you and your classmate might observe the same setting at different times, effectively doubling the amount of information you can obtain. The additional information will help you better understand the contexts being observed. If you decide to work with a classmate, consider creating an observation checklist so that each observer will know what to look for.
If you are conducting an interview, share your interview questions with a classmate before conducting the interview. Have your classmate role-play the interviewee. Then ask him or her how you might improve your questions.
If you are gathering information through correspondence, ask a classmate to review your letter or message before you send it and to offer suggestions for improving it. Your classmate can follow the guidelines for conducting an effective peer review.
If you are conducting a survey, share drafts of your survey with a few classmates. Ask them to note any questions that seem unclear, irrelevant, or ineffective. If they identify any questions that could be improved, ask them why they found the questions problematic and whether they have any suggestions for revision.