Everything you need to know when doing field research in India
Part 3 of the Research Tips & Tricks article series by Xeno Co-lab
Fieldwork plays a crucial role in research as it provides researchers with firsthand, real-world experiences and observations. It offers a unique opportunity to gather rich and detailed data, allowing for in-depth analysis and understanding of behavioral nuances. By immersing in the field, researchers can gain valuable insights, uncover hidden patterns, and explore the contextual factors that influence the research topic.
All the preparation and planning for a study comes together and culminates during the fieldwork phase. And thus, preparing for fieldwork is of utmost importance as it sets the foundation for a successful and productive research experience & output.
When preparing for fieldwork in a particular geography or context, it is important to design the research plan in accordance with the nuances and requirements of that geography or context. Similarly, when planning for fieldwork in India, one needs to consider a lot of different factors. India, with its rich cultural heritage, diverse landscapes, and complex social fabric, offers a fascinating destination for conducting fieldwork. And in this article we will delve into the key aspects that one needs to keep in mind when embarking on fieldwork in India.
1. Adopting socio-cultural norms and etiquettes
India has a rich socio-cultural fabric, and it is important to understand and respect the norms and etiquettes that shape the interactions and social dynamics in this country. Working with local experts to understand these cultural norms and being aware of the social etiquette can help researchers build a better rapport and empathize with the participants and their context better.
For example, hospitality is deeply ingrained in the Indian culture and holds great significance. Indians are known for their warm, welcoming nature and their willingness to go above and beyond to make guests feel comfortable. Even though you may be visiting your participants home for a short period for the sessions, they will extend very hospitable behavior by offering tea or snacks. Sometimes, we have even visited participants’ homes where their family has put in the effort to cook a small meal, or offer desserts to the team. As much as possible, we recommend accepting what the family offers, unless of course in case of health or allergic considerations! This simple act of accepting their hospitality makes them feel like we are one of them and not ‘outsiders’ which helps when conducting the sessions.
2. Creating comfortable environments for participants
Operating as a team in participants’ homes during fieldwork requires a delicate balance between being respectful, non-intimidating, and maintaining the integrity of the research process. Specifically in India, households in tier 1 cities like Mumbai or lower economic class have considerably smaller houses. It is crucial to be cognisant of the number of team members present during home visits, as too many individuals can be overwhelming for participants and may hinder their willingness to share candid stories. Keeping the team size small also allows for more intimate interactions and fosters a sense of trust between the researchers and participants, ultimately facilitating a more authentic and meaningful research experience.
Some Indian households may also find too many tech equipments brought for the research session intimidating especially for the tech nascent audiences. Being mindful of their overall tech exposure is very important. From the perspective of effective documentation, researchers may rely a lot on tech support like mics, voice recorders, videography, light setup, etc. But it is important to be aware that the presence of these equipment can make the participants feel like they are in a very controlled and monitored setup which can impact their spontaneity and candidness when responding. And hence, striking the right balance by avoiding too much tech dependence wherever possible is key!
3. Being considerate of travel and logistics
In recent times, there has been a rise in remote research, because of which we seem to have forgotten how different in-field research can be! We try to achieve the same amount of work in the field as we can remotely. But, field work can be a lot more intensive and hence there is a need to take breaks between the sessions and not pack the entire day with research activities.
While on field, long travel hours and traffic can also lead to exhaustion for the team members and hence it is advisable to be mindful of this and have designated downtime even though we ideally want to make the most of the time in hand. Traffic jams during peak hours, especially in metro cities, can significantly impact travel times and hence, it is useful to allocate sufficient time for commuting. Keeping room for potential delays and planning schedules accordingly can help ensure smooth execution of research activities. It is advisable to consult with your local partners to gain insights and plan travel routes as Google Maps may not always be accurate and reliable.
During one of our fieldwork in Rishikesh, a pilgrimage site in the North of India, our team had to cancel a planned research activity and change the location ad-hoc just because we couldn’t reach the pre-decided location. The plan was made based on the distances and travel time suggested on Google Maps but in reality the travel time ended up being almost double than what was showing up on the Maps! Such unpredictability is quite common and hence, adaptability becomes the key! For team members traveling from other countries, jet lag also becomes a very important consideration. When planning the schedule, it is good to allocate sufficient time for team members to recover before commencing any demanding research activities.
4. Being considerate of the team’s health and bandwidth
Fieldwork in itself is an exhaustive and intensive part of research. Additionally, dealing with extreme weather conditions like high heat during summers or heavy rains during the monsoon can lead to added exhaustion. India can also seem like a place with sensory overload as the streets can generally be loud and noisy for someone who is visiting India for the first time. All of these factors together can have an impact on the team health and it is good to be mindful of this so that the schedules can be defined in consideration of these factors. Having designated downtime weaved into the fieldwork schedules can prove to be extremely beneficial for your overall team health and wellbeing.
5. Keeping room for spontaneity
Lastly, even after planning every single aspect of fieldwork to the T, it is important to be aware that fieldwork can be extremely unpredictable. Last minute disruptions or challenges due to weather changes, participants unavailability, tech issues, etc. can arise at any time. In moments like these, embracing spontaneity allows researchers to seize these unique moments, delve deeper into their research, and gain a more nuanced understanding of the culture and context they are studying. Being open to unplanned encounters, impromptu conversations, and serendipitous events can lead to valuable insights and uncover hidden aspects of the research topic. Spontaneity encourages flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to think on one’s feet, which are essential qualities for navigating the ever-changing landscape of fieldwork in India.
Even at Xeno, we have imbibed it in our practice to have open conversations with our clients & team members about the ways in which fieldwork can be improvised or the need for ad-hoc decision making on field. This practice ensures that everyone is aware about the mindset needed for fieldwork and can problem-solve together. It also helps set the right expectations and not feel the added pressure of difficult-to-achieve commitments because of real life challenges. Having these candid conversations, along with careful, intentional and mindful planning considering the externalities mentioned above, can ensure that fieldwork becomes an exciting, valuable and enriching phase of your research!
— Avani Tavargeri (Research Consultant, Xeno Co-lab)
