Fieldwork in the (Re)construction of Geographical Research: Reflection on a Traditional Tool of Investigation

Abstract

Based on the experience of doctoral level seminar courses, this article discusses
the role of fieldwork in the construction, deconstruction and reconstruction of geographical objects of investigation. It is argued that one of the main problems encountered by postgraduate students is the lack of reflection on the construction or reconstruction of their objects of research. This causes them to neglect discussing fieldwork method, before and during research, and consequently to ignore deconstructing and reconstructing the objects of geographical investigation and so do not undertake the necessary discussion of internal tensions within the discipline.