Research conducted outside of laboratories, libraries, or offices, involving direct observation, data collection, and interaction with subjects in their natural environments or real-world settings.
Compound of 'field' (Old English 'feld', open land) plus 'work'. Originally referred to agricultural labor, the term was adopted by various disciplines in the late 19th/early 20th centuries as researchers emphasized the importance of studying phenomena in their natural contexts rather than artificial laboratory settings.
Fieldwork recognizes that some truths can only be discovered by getting your hands dirty in the real world! It's based on the insight that people, animals, and natural phenomena behave differently in their natural settings than in controlled environments, so authentic understanding requires authentic engagement.
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