What are the key steps for preparing for field research?

Clearly articulate the objectives and scope of your study. A well-defined research question serves as a guide throughout the field research process, ensuring focus and relevance.

? Who can I help? How to help and why? Engage with your target audience for applied research to solve real-world problems. If your audience is coffee producers, for instance, ask them about their main challenges and potential improvement suggestions. ? There's a simple but effective technique called USER STORY. It consists of straightforward sentences that follow the structure: “As a <type of user>, I want <a feature> so that <some reason>.” ? This way, you understand what your target audience thinks and desires and attempt to address a real pain point through your research question.

Select an appropriate research method based on your objectives and the nature of the study. Whether it's interviews, surveys, observations, or a combination, align the method with your research goals.

Develop a detailed plan for logistical aspects such as travel, accommodations, and equipment. Anticipate challenges related to the research location and devise strategies to address them, promoting a smoother field research experience.

Field research can often be underestimated in terms of execution. For this, talk to people who have extensive field experience and accompany them at the beginning of your journey. You'll then realize that fieldwork generally requires more people and materials than anticipated! Plan ahead, list all the materials you'll need, people who will assist you (and "backup" personnel), multiple copies of field sketches, materials for documenting evaluations, personal protective equipment, and some snacks to cheer up the team. Well-organized field experiments can become a fun experience, not just a tiring one!

Find a FACILITATOR. Identify a small part of your project that can be executed quickly, with lower risk, and that results in something VALIDATED. In the startup world, this is called an MVP (Minimum Viable Product). This way, you quickly get to the part of your experiments with something smaller, but tangible. Based on feedback or results, you make the best decisions along the way. For example: I worked on some experiments involving the application of products for plant disease control. My MVP in this case would be to set up a “pilot” experiment to: - select the product doses that most effectively controlled the diseases; - choose doses and treatments that did not cause phytotoxicity.

Conduct a small-scale pilot study to identify potential issues and refine your research approach. This step allows for adjustments to methods, questionnaires, or procedures before full implementation, enhancing the study's reliability and validity.

Considering a broader perspective, preparing for field research involves defining the research question, selecting methods, and planning logistics. Beyond this, considerations include ensuring ethical compliance, cultural sensitivity training for the team, assessing and mitigating risks, fostering local collaborations, addressing language barriers, implementing robust data security measures, cultivating adaptability to unforeseen circumstances, and thorough budget planning. These steps collectively enhance the effectiveness and ethical conduct of field research on a global scale.