• Question: whats so intresting about working in the fields? :)

    Asked by guesswho to Dave, Clare, Glo, Sean on 23 Jun 2011. This question was also asked by coconut.
    • Photo: Dave Sproson

      Dave Sproson answered on 17 Jun 2011:

      When we say ‘fieldwork’ or ‘working in the field’, we don’t mean it literally! Fieldwork just means getting out of the office or the lab to take measurements or collect data or samples.

      For me, fieldwork usually involves going out to sea on a research ship, or – in the past – using an aeroplane.

      Of course, for some scientists, I’m sure that actual fields can be the most interesting places in the world!

    • Photo: Sean Clement

      Sean Clement answered on 22 Jun 2011:

      Haha, we don’t mean int literally like Dave says but I have worked in a field before, quite a few times actually. It’s quite nice if the weathers good. Otherwise, you’re stood out in the rain. And of course, being in a field means you’ve nowhere to take shelter. Not nice.

      Working ‘in the field’ for me is great because it means I’m able to conduct survey and make observations of creatures in their natural environment. This is great if you’re studying something that couldn’t be fully replicated in the lab, like a Coral Reef for instance! Going out in the field generally requires you to do a bit of experimental design, which is the process of deciding what you’re going to measure or observe and how you’re going to go about doing it. This is often really satisfying if it goes well and often if it doesn’t too because you learn a little bit about how not to do something, which is sometimes just as important as learning how to do it right!

    • Photo: Gloeta Massie

      Gloeta Massie answered on 23 Jun 2011:

      I didn’t really enjoy working in fields, which is something I did in my crazier youth days in an attempt to pay my bills. (I actually highly recommend it – few things will motivate you to go back to school as much as 12+ hour backbreaking hours doing field work!) Field work in the context like I think you meant though is just about getting to go and play, er, um, work in the wild as opposed to a lab. What do I find it interesting? I love being outside, playing in water – it’s just fun!

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