Field Survey: Tools and Techniques

Practical methods for primary data collection and physical surveying in Geography.

Author

Geography Team

Official Syllabus

NEP-2020 Syllabus

NoteCore I Paper XXI β€” Field Survey: Tools and Technique

**(4 Credit, Theory: 45hrs, Practical: 30hrs)*

**Unit I:* - Field survey: rationales, approaches, basic principles, Classification

**Unit II:* - Physical survey: Plain Table survey (instruments, steps, methods, limitations) - Dumpy level survey (components, steps, methods) - Prismatic Compass survey (components, steps, methods)

**Unit III:* - Socio-economic survey: Objectives, Sources of data, methods of data collection - Quantitative survey: basic concepts of sampling, questionnaire preparation, finding errors - Qualitative survey: Key Informant Interview (KII), Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Participatory Rapid Appraisal (PRA) - Qualitative/quantitative data analysis, content analysis, ethics of primary data collection

UGC NET Syllabus

TipUGC NET Overlaps (Unit IX/X)
  • Sources of Geographic Information and Data (primary/spatial)
  • Sampling, Sampling Procedure
  • Techniques for studying spatial patterns

Welcome to the Field Survey: Tools and Techniques module of Geography OpenCourseWare.

Part A: Common Topics (NEP-2020 & UGC NET)

These topics are covered in both the NEP-2020 undergraduate syllabus and the UGC NET syllabus.

Principles of Field Survey

WarningπŸ“˜ Syllabus Coverage
Syllabus Topic Details
NEP-2020 Unit I β€” Rationales, approaches, basic principles
UGC NET Sources of Geographic Information

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NoteKey Concepts
  • Rationale: Geography is an empirical science; field surveys bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and ground reality. Allows for primary data collection where secondary data is unavailable or unreliable.
  • Approaches: Inductive (field observation to general laws) vs. Deductive (testing hypotheses in the field).
  • Classification:
    • Physical/Topographical Surveying: Measuring earth’s surface features (Plane table, Dumpy level).
    • Socio-Economic Surveying: Gathering demographic, economic, and social data from populations.

Physical Survey Instruments and Methods

WarningπŸ“˜ Syllabus Coverage
Syllabus Topic Details
NEP-2020 Unit II β€” Plain Table, Dumpy level, Prismatic Compass
UGC NET Techniques of spatial data gathering

Get the Presentation β†—   |   Watch the Video β†—

NoteKey Concepts
  • Plane Table Survey: Graphical method where plotting and surveying are done simultaneously in the field. Instruments: Plane table, alidade, plumbing fork, compass, spirit level. Methods: Radiation, Intersection, Traversing, Resection.
  • Prismatic Compass Survey: Used for measuring magnetic bearings of lines. Closed and open traverse. Useful for filling in details in forested or urban areas where line of sight is obstructed.
  • Dumpy Level Survey: Used for determining relative elevations (leveling) and contouring. Establishes a horizontal line of sight to measure height differences.

Socio-Economic Survey Methods

WarningπŸ“˜ Syllabus Coverage
Syllabus Topic Details
NEP-2020 Unit III β€” Objectives, Quantitative vs Qualitative, Sampling, Questionnaires
UGC NET Sampling, Sampling Procedure

Get the Presentation β†—   |   Watch the Video β†—

NoteKey Concepts
  • Quantitative Survey: Deals with numbers and statistics.
    • Sampling: Simple random, stratified, systematic. Reducing sampling error.
    • Tools: Structured questionnaires, census, schedules.
  • Qualitative Survey: Deals with words and meanings, exploring complex social phenomena.
    • KII (Key Informant Interview): In-depth interviews with experts or community leaders.
    • FGD (Focus Group Discussion): Guided group discussion to understand collective perspectives.
    • PRA (Participatory Rapid Appraisal): Involving local communities in analyzing their own conditions (e.g., social mapping, resource mapping, seasonality calendars).
  • Ethics: Informed consent, anonymity, avoiding harm, respectful engagement with communities.

Quick Reference

Field Survey Quick Reference

Key Concepts and Tools

Tool / Method Application
Prismatic Compass Measuring whole circle bearings.
Dumpy Level Determining relative elevations (Levelling).
Theodolite Measuring horizontal and vertical angles.
Clinometer Measuring angles of elevation or depression.

Notes compiled by Geography Team