FIELD PROJECT
REPORT WRITING
An academic field project report should contain the following parts/chapters;
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background
 Historical aspect of the problem under study
 When, why, how
1.2 Location
 Sketch map of the study area
 The map should be well framed with a key, title and direction.
1.3 Problem statement
 The main theme that will be investigated.
 States the irregularity that needs understanding.
1.4 Aim and objectives
 The aim is the main goal that the research intends to achieve.
 Mainly a research has one aim
 Specific actions that are undertaken in order to achieve the aim.
 Since objectives are actions, they should therefore always be identified by using
action words
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
 Study of previous works on the same problem
 So as; identify ignored areas and contribute new knowledge to the field.
 It’s important that the subtitles under this chapter are according to the
objectives
3.0 METHODOLOGY
 Explain how the project was carried out;
 Type of study
 Instruments used
 Other equipment use
4.0 PRESENTATION OF FINDINGS
 Present the findings using various tools;
 Tables
 Flow diagrams
 Graphs
 Statistical maps
5.0 INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS
 Explain the findings
 State their implications
6.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION
6.1 Conclusion
 Confirm findings
 Contradict findings
 Bring out new information
6.2 Recommendation
 Suggest possible solutions to the problem
 Increase understanding of the topic under study
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TITLE
This must be on a cover page.
Should come from a geography topic either from physical or human geography
Brief but to a point
Specify the area of study eg. Kasuku area
If it is a problem oriented research, let it have a dependent and an independent clause
e.g. The effectiveness of environmental awareness campaigns on waste management
in Kabwe urban.
However, some titles may not have any problem to be investigated but merely a study
eg a study of how Chitenge is produced at Mulungushi textiles in Kabwe
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION:
THIS HAS TWO PARTS
1.0. BACKGROUND
this introduces the problem being investigated gives the historical background of the study
eg, issue of waste management, one might show that it has been a menace to lives, every year
it leads to cholera outbreaks, campaigns have been made but impact less hence the need to
find out why.
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Must really justify the need to carry out a research.
Problem statement is also highlighted at this stage
Aim[s] and objectives are also highlighted
If it is a factory, mention when opened, who own it ,what it produces and why it was
opened
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1.1. LOCATION
 Show sketch map of the place of study ensure key and direction are given
PROBLEM STATEMENT
 This statement shows the puzzle the researcher has over an issue under study because
despite the measures the situation doesn’t appear to be changing the puzzle you have
is what takes one into the field to find out why.
AIM/ OBJECTIVES
 This highlights what your study intends to achieve and is broader.
 e.g., on waste management campaigns my aim would be to investigate the
effectiveness of awareness campaigns on waste management
 Aims should be stated in a suggestive or investigative manner to create inquisitiveness
or curiosity.
OBJECTIVES
 Don’t write to many objectives as that would make your report too long since only
1500 to 2000 words are required.
 Objectives guide the study as they point to specific areas that would help you achieve
your aim eg, to find out if there are awareness campaigns, to assess regularity of
campaigns, to establish modes of information dissemination
CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
 This reviews what others have said over the same issue under study.
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Literature in my example would be reviewed in line with the following objectives:
whether awareness campaigns were conducted, how regular campaigns were done
and mode of information dissemination
It is reviewed in line with objectives to avoid wondering about
CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY
3.0 RESEARCH DESIGN
Two research designs are recommended.
 descriptive surveys and case study
 This refers to the entire group of items, people, animal or group of anything under
study
 E.g. my research included all the markets, shop owners or all schools in Kabwe urban
SAMPLE
 This is the actual number of items, animals, people, etc. that will be used as
respondents selected from the population
 The sample should be relatively large so as to be representative enough.
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A very small sample may not be representative due to biasness in sampling techniques
Choose sample relevant to your study e.g. on waste management choose markets,
councils and pupils
Narration would be 30 marketers, 15 pupils and 5 council workers were sampled
SAMPLING TECHNIQUES
These show how you arrive at respondents and may include:
 simple random,
 systematic,
 convenience,
 purposive etc
3.2. DESCRIPTION OF PROCEDURES
 Listening To The Guide
 Breaking Into Groups Of 10 Each
 Note Taking
 Capturing Phenomena On Camera
SECONDARY SOURCES
 Mention official documents used to supplement data reading books, journals,
newspapers etc.
RESEARCH INSTRUMENTS
 Mention tools used to collect data eg, questionnaires, interview guides, observation,
camera, phone, field note books.
CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION
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Introduce the objectives that constitute this chapter.
eg, the information covered in this chapter was based on the following objectives: to
find out whether there were any awareness campaigns, to assess how regular
campaigns were made and to establish modes of information dissemination used.
There should be no discussion and interpretation but just narration use tables, graphs,
flow charts etc.
CHAPTER FIVE: INTERPRETATION OF FINDINGS
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This chapter tries to show the interpretation of your findings e.g. The findings show a
larger percentage showing ignorance of awareness campaigns.
 It also shows the implication of the situation obtaining on the ground, e.g., since
awareness campaigns are not intensified, the tendency of littering would not improve
meaning challenges of water borne diseases were likely to continue
 Does your finding answer or contradict your problem statement? e.g, this answers my
puzzle as to why garbage is everywhere because campaigns have not been effective
 Comment on what literature has said eg, according to Mlgh ( 2001) garbage has the
potential to claim many lives through cholera outbreaks and this is my concern too.
PROBLEMS/ LIMITATIONS
 This shows the problems you faced while in the field conducting research.
 These may include language barrier, limited time, respondents not being interested
and many more.
CHAPTER SIX: CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
6.0: CONCLUSION
 Conclude basing on the findings, eg, it is clear that the cause of garbage heaps in our
town is due to lack of good will by the concerned departments. little appears to be
done to educate the masses.
 Relate your findings to your problem statement puzzle. eg this then answers my
concern as to why our town has garbage heaps despite awareness campaigns, indeed it
is not that people do it deliberately but lack education on dangers of garbage
 Comment on implications: eg unless something is done our town will remain dirty
and vulnerable to water borne diseases.
6.1: RECOMMENDATIONS
 List down what you feel should be done to improve the situation. e.g.
 Make door to door awareness campaigns once each month
 Provide stationed bins on streets
 Put in place stern measures for offenders, etc
REFERENCE
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Finally, show a reference page for secondary sources.
An attachment of a questionnaire is helpful to a teacher if you have to understand data
presentation part.
This shows the books the researcher consulted
In short the secondary sources
The format is Author, Year (in brackets), full colon, Book title (which should be
underlined,) Publishing Company and City.
E.g. Creswell, J.W. (2014): Research Design 4th Edition. UK: SAGE Publications LTD,
London
SUMMARY OF PROJECT FORMAT
Format of a Report
The following format guidelines should be followed:Cover page – should have the name of the school and the candidate’s
personal details.
Introduction: Identification of field project: topic, historical aspect,
statement of the problem including the brief conceptual background
which will be related to the Aims and Objectives.
Aims/Objectives
 The purpose /Intentions of the field research.
 Aims and objectives should be (SMART) simple, measurable,
attainable, realistic and time Bound.
Methods of data collection
 Identification of target populations: the study area (including the
map of the research), respondents / participants,
 Interviews guides, cameras, questionnaires, note pads, maps,
 Experiments, observations, recording, taking pictures.
 Processing: classification, compiling, arranging of data.
Presentation: use of graphs, tables, flow diagrams,
pictures/photographs maps (computer-generated/ hand drawn)
statistics, (mean, mode, median)
Interpretation and analysis
 Description of findings with reference to aims and objectives.
 Provide balanced and well-reasoned arguments of findings.
 Explain any anomalies in the findings.
 Provide references to all maps and illustrations in the
discussion.
Evaluation and conclusion
 Conclusion of results based on it presented data.
 Confirm or contradict the findings and unearth new
information.
Recommendation: provide recommendations for the improvements
of the situation/ solution to the problem.
References: acknowledge any secondary sources.