Field Work and Report Writing Format

Field Report

The field work is not a research work. The field work report is about the activities done in the 

field and the skills acquired during the exercise reflecting the academic competency at that level.

Writing a report of the work carried on in the field is a documentation of the field work. This helps in systematic reviewing of the work by students who accomplished the task and a reference for future field trips. Field reports must be short, clear and informative with supportive data, maps, sketches, photographs etc.


There are a number of steps involved in report writing. They are:

Title:

Identify the topic of investigation which is the purpose of field work. This is the title of the work and it has to be written in bold letters at the top of the report.

Introduction:

Every report should start with a brief introduction to the subject under study. It should explain what part of geography it relates to. For example if the study is about a stream, it falls under the branch of physical geography, more specifically geomorphology - an exogenetic agent of denudation. The time frame that was planned for the fieldwork can be elaborated. If the field work is extending for more than one day, then a clear timetable should be given.

Need for the Study:

The reason why the field work is undertaken can be mentioned. This explains the need for the field work.

The Study Area:

Details of the study area are explained here – starting with the absolute or geographical location of the study area, the choice of the study area and the physiography of the area. Other known physical and cultural details of the study area can be mentioned here. A copy of the map, satellite image etc. can be incorporated here.

Methodology Used:

The methods used to carry out the field work have to be mentioned here. The method of information collection varies according to the type of study. It could be through observation, investigation, measurements; data collection from primary and secondary sources; field sketches, audio-video recording and photographs and GNSS surveys.

Data Analysis:

The data collected through field work should be presented in a simple way for easy analysis. The method of representation of data should be according to the method of data collected. 

Example: 

  1. If observation method is used in data collection then the data can be represented as photographs or field sketches. 
  2. If data is collected through surveys, it can be represented as a plan or map. 
  3. Data collected from secondary sources can be presented as tables, graphs, diagrams or charts. 
  4. Data collected through GNSS surveys can be mapped.

The data represented in various forms have to be neatly labeled and indexed for easy identification and understanding. The photographs, diagrams, tables, maps etc. prepared during post field work have to be arranged in a sequential order so that they can provide an answer to the purpose of study and add more meaning and value to the report of work done in the field.

Conclusion:

The conclusion gives the gist of the field work – the aim, the results or findings and how it relates to existing knowledge and the addition of new knowledge through this field work. The conclusion has to present how the fieldwork has enhanced the theoretical knowledge gained in the class.

The format of the Final Report

The following is the proposed format of field work report for third year Bachelor students;

PRELIMINARY PAGES

Begin each part on a separate page

Headings must appear at the top of the page, positioned at the centre, in capital letters and in bold text.

Presentation of the preliminary pages takes the following sequence which involves some or all of the following parts;

  • Executive Summary
  • Acknowledgement
  • List of acronyms 
  • Table of contents

 CHAPTER ONE 

 INTRODUCTION

  • Overview of the field work placement. 
  • Discussion of the primary functions/ structure/business of the Organization/company and their role within that business. 
  • Review of the industry that the company works within.

CHAPTER TWO 

WORKDONE AND LESSON LEARNT

  • Brief description of task undertaken
  • Deduce lessons learnt for each task undertaken 
  • Make sure that you produce information that relate to the log book

CHAPTER THREE 

LITERATURE REVIEW

  • Review of literature related to key task performed 
  • Supervisor will guide you on the selection of topic
  • The review should include key academic theories
  • demonstrate that knowledge of student in area reviewed is up date relate literature review with task undertaken
  • Proper citation

CHAPTER FOUR 

ANALYSIS

  1. Relate theories learnt in class with what is happening in the market
  2. Description of skills learned and enhanced, review of how the experience has affected career plans and ambitions, and what skills the student may be currently lacking.

CHAPTER FIVE 

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Conclusion

  • Provide an effective conclusion which gives the answer to the main questions/objectives of the report
  • Your conclusion should provide a summary of what argued in before in the texts, and incorporate your personal view.
  • Identify if there is any challenges in your analysis

Recommendations

  • In line with what you observed in your analysis, give your advice to the respective authority addressing the needs of your report and the challenges, if any.

REFERENCE/ BIBLIOGRAPHY 

  • Use either reference or bibliography as your heading for this section. In both cases, make sure that you discuss with your supervisor and agree on which term to use
  • Adhere to the alphabetical order i.e. different entries should be arranged in alphabetical order by the surname of the first author. Each entry starts with a hanging indent and 1.5 lines spacing between.
  • no numbering for your list
  • You list the sources that you have used in your work. Don’t list sources just for the sake of adding materials to this section

NOTE; 

  • Please follow the structure of the report as indicated above.
  • You are advised to plan your work carefully and back-up your work using different storage devices in order to avoid problems as a result of computer crash, virus attack or any other reason. Computing and printing problems will NOT be accepted as reasons for non-submission
  • Finally, PLAGIARISM is not accepted 

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