Field research techniques booklets

All these booklets on Expedition Field Research Techniques are available free-of-charge as PDF downloads from the folder at the bottom of this page.

Printed copies can be purchased by calling +44 (0)207 591 3030. UK postage is free, overseas delivery may incur extra charges.

Working with local people

Education Projects
Education projects contribute to understanding local and global issues. Expedition teams can take part at any scale: from speaking at a school to raise awareness, to carrying out research, or building an education centre. This booklet ensures that you will be able to ask the right questions to make your project appropriate and successful.  
Jen Hurst (ed), 1998. ISBN 978-0-907649-78-6.  £10.
 

People-Oriented Research
Most places in the world have been affected by human impact. Thus, most field research projects are likely to have a human dimension. This practical guide examines qualitative methods for sharing knowledge with local people.
Sachin Kapila & Fergus Lyon, 2006 (eds). ISBN 978-0-907649-67-0. £10.
 

Mapping, Blogging and Surveying

GIS, GPS and Remote Sensing
Providing details of fieldwork techniques - from compass surveying to GPS locating - this manual illustrates how GISci help with fieldwork projects, e.g. logistics, research, monitoring, conservation applications, technology transfer and education. N. McWilliam, R. Teeuw, M. Whiteside & P. Zukowskyj, 2005 £15 incl. p&p 
 

Field Guide to Humanitarian Mapping
Map Action’s field guide to Humanitarian Mapping is designed to help aid organisations on limited budgets find and make use of free and open-source GIS software. The guide includes instructions on Quantum GIS and Google Earth. 
MapAction. 2nd Edition. 2011 £16 incl. p&p.
 

Simple Surveys 
Although written in the days before hand held calculators, Simple Surveys holds the key to understanding the process behind surveying techniques. This excellent publication can help maths and geography teachers, in particular in producing hand drawn maps on expeditions.
Keith Miller, 1977. ISBN 978-0-907649-58-0. £10.
 

Biological conservation

Camera Trapping for wildlife conservation
Camera Trapping has become one of the most popular tools to monitor animal populations. It is especially useful for ecological and behavioural studies, and research on elusive species. This guide provides an overview of the practical aspects of using remote cameras for wildlife studies. 
Tim van Berkel, 2014. £12.50. ISBN 978-0-907649-93-9
 

Bats
Bats are among the most diverse and widely distributed groups of mammals and can be found on all continents except Antarctica. There are around 1,000 species of bat in total. This fieldwork guide helps those intending to gather data for the conservation of bats worldwide.
Kate Barlow, 1999. £10. ISBN 978-0-907649-82-3
 

Bird Surveys
Birds are ideal indicators of habitat quality. The ease with which they can be observed and identified make them ideal for study. This manual outlines techniques to analyse and obtain good quality data. 
Joint publication with Birdlife International for the BP Conservation Award, 1998. 
Colin Bibby, Martin Jones and Stuart Marsden, 1999. ISBN 978-0-907649-79-3. £10.
 

Fishes
Fish are found in fresh and salt waters around the world from high mountain streams to the depths of the oceans. Little is known of the biology of many species, with new species discovered regularly. This book directs in the observation and collecting of fishes for ecological study. Brian Coad, 1995. ISBN 978-0-907649-71-7. £10.
 

Insects
Insects account for around half of the earth’s 1.5 million known species. As herbivores, predators, parasites and a food source, insects are fundamental in all terrestrial and aquatic food chains. this book provides essential advice on field methods and equipment for those studying insects’ diversity, habitats or hoping to discover new species. 
George McGavin, 1998. ISBN 978-0-907649-74-8 £10. 
 

Primates
Primates are frequently used as indicators of habitat quality and low human impacts. Much work can still be done on ecology, behaviour and conservation. This book provides ideas on projects for small expeditions and reviews field techniques.
Adrian Barnett, 1995. ISBN 978-0-907649-69-4. £10.
Download Field Techniques - Primates (PDF)

Reptiles & Amphibians
Very few reptile communities have been documented. As we do not know much about the ecology of most species of lizards, snakes and amphibians, a carefully conducted study can make significant contributions to this science.
Daniel Bennett, 1999. ISBN 978-0-907649-81-6. £10.
 

Small Mammals (excl bats) 
Small mammal surveys are often used in expedition fieldwork as they are ecological indicators. Small mammals are abundant in many environments, and relatively easy to study. This booklet outlines various methods that can be used to study small mammal ecology on expeditions.
Adrian Barnett & John Dutton, 1995. ISBN 978-0-907649-68-7. £10.
 

Ordering information

All these booklets on Expedition Field Research Techniques are available free-of-charge as PDF downloads from the folder at the bottom of this page.

Printed copies can be purchased by calling +44 (0)207 591 3030 or email: go@rgs.org
UK postage is free, overseas delivery may incur extra charges.