Fieldwork and gathering data

Planning fieldwork and data collection, including travel arrangements and risk assessments, are largely managed in the Faculties. What follows are some general advice and training links.

Good overall guides to the research degree programmes can be found in the handbooks – Forms and Guidance: handbooks – including those for PhD, Professional Doctorate and Affiliated Research Centre.

Fieldwork will be covered in the welcome back sessions that happen in September each year (slides available on Welcome Back PGR Manager listing).

Student tip: “Start your ethics approval early as it can take time. The Library team run a helpful session on how to write your data management plan and offer to review the first draft of your data management plan.”

Forms and Guidance

Note: if any of these links are broken try searching on the main Forms and Guidance page.

GDPR guidance

Fieldwork and travel checklist and timelines for PGRs

Training resources

The following modules are part of OLCreate: Research skills for PhD students | OLCreate (enrolment keys are here RESEARCH-SKILLS: Enrolment keys | OU online).

Becoming a professional researcher This module includes a unit on Safety and risk in research which contains guidance on planning for fieldwork and travel, and researcher and participant safety in the field.
Designing your research
Approaches to data collection.

Other helpful resources

What differs between Faculties?

Each Faculty may have its own policy and procedure around stages and actions including:

how you can spend any funds related to your training, e.g., a training grant
health and safety, including work stations and risk assessments for fieldwork
arranging travel for conferences and fieldwork
equipment and specialist software
Third Party Monitor allocation and any subject-specific buddying/mentoring.

We recommend you start by talking with your Faculty Administrator about what happens in your Faculty (mailbox address on RESEARCH-SKILLS: Contact us | OU online).