CBSE Class 12 Geography: Chapter 5 Field Surveys NCERT Solutions

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NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This chapter, "Field Surveys," for CBSE Class 12 Geography, provides essential insights into conducting practical geographical investigations. It covers the fundamental aspects of planning and executing field surveys, including understanding the importance of secondary information, defining objectives, and selecting appropriate spatial and thematic coverages. The solutions detail the various tools and techniques employed, such as personal interviews, questionnaires, field observations, and measurements. It also touches upon data entry, tabulation, computation of indices, and report writing, which are crucial for analyzing and presenting findings. These NCERT Solutions are designed to help students grasp the practical methodologies of geographical research, enabling them to effectively plan and execute their own field studies and prepare thoroughly for their examinations.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 12
SubjectGeography Practical Work in Geography
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
ChapterChapter 5

Chapter summary

Chapter 5 of the Class 12 Geography Practical Work focuses on Field Surveys. It explains the necessity of field surveys in geographical research, the importance of planning stages like defining objectives and spatial/thematic coverages, and the tools and techniques used for data collection. The solutions also cover the concluding steps of data processing and report writing, providing a practical guide for students.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the importance and necessity of field surveys in geography.
  • Identify the key stages involved in planning a field survey.
  • Recognize the various tools and techniques used for data collection in field surveys.
  • Explain the significance of defining spatial and thematic coverages.
  • Describe the process of data entry, tabulation, and report writing after a survey.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Introduction to Field Surveys
  • Importance of Field Surveys in Geography
  • Planning a Field Survey
  • Role of Secondary Information
  • Defining Objectives
  • Spatial and Thematic Coverages
  • Tools and Techniques for Data Collection
  • Personal Interviews
  • Questionnaires
  • Field Observation
  • Measurement
  • Data Entry, Tabulation, and Report Writing

Important topics

  • Planning Stages of a Field Survey
  • Tools and Techniques for Data Collection
  • Importance of Defining Spatial and Thematic Coverages
  • Role of Secondary Information
  • Steps from Data Collection to Report Writing

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Questions and Solutions

Multiple Choice Questions

(i) Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:

Which one of the following helps most in planning for a field survey?

  1. Personal interviews
  2. Secondary information
  3. Measurements
  4. Experimentation
Solution: The correct option is (ii) Secondary information. Planning a field survey requires a thorough understanding of the existing context, previous research, and available data. Secondary information, such as maps, reports, and existing datasets, provides this crucial background, helping to define objectives, identify potential challenges, and design the survey effectively. While personal interviews, measurements, and experimentation are tools used during the survey itself, secondary information is vital for the initial planning phase.

(ii) Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:

Which one of the following is taken up at the conclusion of a field survey?

  1. Data entry and tabulation
  2. Report writing
  3. Computation of indices
  4. None of the above.
Solution: The correct option is (ii) Report writing. After all the data has been collected, entered, tabulated, and analyzed (including computation of indices), the final step in a field survey is to compile these findings into a comprehensive report. This report details the objectives, methodology, results, analysis, and conclusions of the survey.

(iii) Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:

What is most important at the initial stages of field survey?

  1. Outlining the objectives
  2. Collection of secondary information
  3. Defining the spatial and thematic coverages
  4. Sample design
Solution: The most important aspect at the initial stages is (iii) Defining the spatial and thematic coverages. While outlining objectives and collecting secondary information are also initial steps, clearly defining the geographical area (spatial coverage) and the specific topics or themes (thematic coverage) to be investigated provides the fundamental framework for the entire survey. Sample design follows once these coverages are established.

(iv) Choose the right answer from the four alternatives given below:

What level of information is acquired during a field survey?

  1. Macro level information
  2. Meso level information
  3. Micro level information
  4. All of the above levels of information
Solution: The correct option is (iii) Micro level information. Field surveys are specifically designed to gather detailed, granular data about a particular area or phenomenon at a local or specific level. This is often referred to as micro-level information, providing insights that are too specific to be captured by broader macro-level or meso-level data sources.

Short Answer Questions

(i) Why is a field survey required?

Solution: Geography is fundamentally a field science, meaning that understanding geographical phenomena often requires direct observation and data collection from the ground. A field survey is required to supplement theoretical knowledge with empirical evidence. It serves several key objectives:
  1. Understanding Spatial Patterns: Field surveys enhance our comprehension of how things are distributed across space, their interrelationships, and the underlying patterns at a local level.
  2. Collecting Primary Data: They facilitate the collection of specific, local-level information that is often unavailable through secondary sources like books or existing reports.
  3. In-depth Study: Field surveys allow for a detailed investigation of a problem as per predefined objectives, ensuring that the research is focused and comprehensive.

(ii) List the tools and techniques used during a field survey.

Solution: A field survey employs a variety of tools and techniques to gather relevant information about the chosen problem. These include:
  • Secondary Information: Utilizing existing resources such as maps, government reports, previous research papers, and statistical data to gain background knowledge and context.
  • Field Observation: Directly observing and recording phenomena, conditions, or activities in the study area. This involves using one's senses and sometimes recording devices.
  • Measurement: Taking precise measurements of physical attributes, distances, areas, or other quantifiable aspects relevant to the survey.
  • Interviewing: Gathering information directly from individuals through structured or semi-structured interviews, often using questionnaires. This helps in understanding perspectives, opinions, and experiences.
  • Questionnaires: Distributing pre-designed sets of questions to a sample of respondents to collect specific data systematically.

(iii) What type of coverages need to be defined before undertaking a field survey?

Solution: Before commencing a field survey, it is essential to define two critical types of coverages: spatial and thematic.
  • Spatial Coverage: This refers to the geographical area that the survey will encompass. It involves clearly delineating the boundaries of the study region, whether it's a small locality, a district, or a larger territory.
  • Thematic Coverage: This defines the specific subject matter or topics that the survey aims to investigate. It outlines the particular aspects of the phenomenon being studied, ensuring the data collection remains focused and relevant.
Additionally, the investigator must decide whether the survey will be conducted as a census (covering the entire population within the defined area) or as a sample survey (using a representative subset of the population). The choice depends on factors like the size and diversity of the study area and the research objectives.

(iv) Describe survey design in brief.

Solution: A survey design outlines the systematic plan for conducting a field survey. From a functional perspective, it typically involves several key steps:
  1. Defining Objectives: Clearly stating what the survey aims to achieve and the specific questions it seeks to answer.
  2. Defining Spatial and Thematic Coverages: Determining the geographical area and the specific topics to be studied.
  3. Identifying Information Needs: Specifying the exact data required to meet the survey objectives.
  4. Choosing Tools and Techniques: Selecting the appropriate methods for data collection, such as interviews, questionnaires, observation, or measurements.
  5. Developing a Sampling Strategy (if applicable): Deciding how to select a representative sample from the target population.
  6. Planning Data Processing and Analysis: Outlining how the collected data will be organized, tabulated, analyzed, and interpreted.
  7. Scheduling and Budgeting: Creating a timeline and allocating resources for the survey activities.
  8. Report Writing: Planning the structure and content of the final report that will present the findings.

Common mistakes

  • Overlooking the importance of secondary information in planning.
  • Failing to clearly define spatial and thematic objectives.
  • Not selecting appropriate tools and techniques for data collection.
  • Inadequate data processing and analysis leading to incorrect conclusions.

Revision tips

  • Focus on the planning stages: objectives, spatial, and thematic coverages.
  • Memorize the different tools and techniques for data collection.
  • Understand the sequence of activities from survey initiation to report writing.
  • Relate the concepts to real-world geographical investigations.

Practice MCQs

Q1. What is the primary benefit of using secondary information in planning a field survey?

Q2. Which activity is typically performed at the very end of a field survey process?

Q3. What is considered most critical at the initial stages of planning a field survey?

Q4. Field surveys are primarily conducted to gather what type of information?

Q5. Which of the following is NOT a direct tool or technique used during a field survey for data collection?

Frequently asked questions

What is the main purpose of a field survey in Geography?

A field survey is required in geography because it is a field science. It enhances understanding of spatial distributions, their associations and relationships at the local level, and collects local information not available through secondary sources.

Why is defining spatial and thematic coverages important at the initial stage of a field survey?

Defining spatial (geographic area) and thematic (topics) coverages at the initial stage is crucial to clearly outline the scope and focus of the survey, ensuring that the data collected is relevant to the research objectives.

What are the key tools and techniques used in a field survey?

Key tools and techniques include collecting secondary information (maps, data), conducting field observations, using measurements, and interviewing people through questionnaires.

What is the difference between census and sample survey in the context of field studies?

A census survey collects data from every unit of the population, while a sample survey collects data from a representative subset (sample) of the population, often used for larger study areas.

What steps follow the data collection phase in a field survey?

Following data collection, the steps typically include data entry, tabulation, computation of indices, analysis, and finally, report writing.

How do field surveys contribute to geographical understanding?

Field surveys contribute by providing in-depth, local-level information that helps in understanding patterns of spatial distributions, their associations, and relationships, which might not be captured by secondary data alone.

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