fieldwork
Noun: 1. Practical work or research conducted in a natural, real-world environment, outside of a laboratory, classroom, or office. This involves collecting data, making observations, or conducting surveys directly in the area of study, such as in anthropology, geology, ecology, or sociology. 2. A temporary fortification or defensive work constructed by troops in the field. This is a specialized military usage.
The word "fieldwork" is an uncountable noun. It refers to the activity or process itself, not a single instance. You do not typically say "a fieldwork" or "fieldworks."
Examples: * The anthropologist spent two years doing fieldwork in a remote village. * Successful completion of the course requires 40 hours of fieldwork. * The geologists are away on fieldwork this month, mapping the new rock formations. * (Military) The soldiers constructed fieldwork to protect their position from enemy attack.
- "To do/conduct fieldwork": This is the most common collocation for engaging in research outside a controlled setting.
- She is in the Amazon rainforest conducting fieldwork for her doctoral thesis.
- "Fieldwork component/experience/placement": These phrases describe the part of a course or job that involves practical, on-site work.
- The biology degree has a mandatory fieldwork component.
- Fieldworker (noun): A person who does fieldwork.
- The fieldworkers collected samples from the site.
- Field (noun): Used in a compound sense to describe the location or subject area of the work (e.g., field research, field study, field trip, field notes). These are related but distinct terms.
- (For research) On-site research, practical research, empirical research, data collection.
- (For military) Earthwork, redoubt, entrenchment, fortification.
- "Out in the field": A common phrase meaning to be engaged in fieldwork.
- Our team is out in the field until Friday.
- "Fieldwork conditions": Refers to the often challenging, real-world environment where the work takes place.
- The equipment must be durable enough to withstand tough fieldwork conditions.
- a temporary fortification built by troops in the field