fieldwork — practical work conducted by a researcher in the natural environment, rather than in a laboratory or office
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: practical work conducted by a researcher in the natural environment, rather than in a laboratory or office
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈfiːldwɜːrk/
Example Sentences
- The sociology student's fieldwork involved interviewing street performers and accidentally becoming one himself.
- Marine biologists often conduct fieldwork in challenging underwater environments.
- Her doctoral dissertation was based on three years of intensive fieldwork in the Amazon rainforest.
fieldwork
NOUN[/ˈfiːldwɜːrk/]
practical work conducted by a researcher in the natural environment, rather than in a laboratory or office
The archaeologist conducts fieldwork at a desert dig site, carefully brushing sand off ancient pottery.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Fieldwork emerged in the early 20th century as academic research expanded beyond laboratory settings into real-world environments. The term combines 'field' (referring to the actual location of study) and 'work' (referring to practical activity), reflecting the shift toward empirical investigation conducted in natural or authentic settings rather than controlled institutional spaces.
Breakdown
field (a place of practical activity or location of study) + work (labor or activity) = fieldwork, a compound term denoting practical research or investigation conducted in the actual environment being studied rather than in a laboratory or office.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The sociology student's fieldwork involved interviewing street performers and accidentally becoming one himself.”
“Marine biologists often conduct fieldwork in challenging underwater environments.”
“Her doctoral dissertation was based on three years of intensive fieldwork in the Amazon rainforest.”
“The archaeologist's fieldwork was interrupted when they discovered the 'ancient artifact' was actually a buried smartphone.”
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