Field Research Pre-Planning - Domestic + International

Domestic Planning Steps

Read the Policy

• Read the U of A Off-Campus Activity and Travel Policy

Determine Risk Level

• Determine your risk level from Appendix B  of the Travel Policy.
• All medium, high and extreme level work MUST complete  Field Activities Plan (FAP) .
• For Human-Participant Research complete the H-FAP .
• Read about Off Campus, Intra-provincial and International Travel Medical Insurance.

Identify Hazards

• Identify hazards and consider the people, activities and location of your field project.
• Use the  Field Research Hazard Control Library  to find hazards and controls.
• Use the  HSE Hazard and Web Assessment App for help.

FAP or H-FAP

• Fill out the FAP template  or the H-FAP  for your project.
• Depending upon the risk assessed, determine who approves the FAP (PI/dean/provost).
• Send a copy to your department and keep a copy in the field.
• If you are researching outside of Canada, see the International Research section below.

Daily Field Safety Log Book

• Request a Daily Field Safety Log Book from the Field Research Office.
• Write detailed records of weather conditions, road conditions, persons' behaviours, equipment issues and new hazards that would deviate from the FAP in the Daily Field Safety Log Book.

Emergency Information Form

• Remember to fill out the Emergency Information Form  for each participant to take with you in the field.

International Research Steps

Read the Policy

• Read the U of A Off-Campus Activity and Travel Policy .
• Any off-campus activity is considered "field research".

FAP or H-FAP

• Complete a Field Activities Plan  or Human Participant Research Field Activities Plan .

Travel Resources

• Check out the travel resources for travel recommendations, advisories and immunization information:
  • Government of Canada Travel Reports and Warnings
  • International Air Transport Association (IATA)
  • Public Health Agency of Canada - Travel Health Program
  • World Health Organization (WHO)
  • International Association for Medical Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT)
  • University Health Centre

Register

• Before traveling off-campus, register in the Voluntary Registration for Field Researchers .
• If traveling internationally you must register in UGO .

International SOS

• U of A staff and students have access to International SOS, a free emergency assistance plan.

Travel Management Program

• Visit the U of A Travel Management Program to get preferred rates.

Visa Requirements

• Be aware of the visa requirements  if field researchers are planning to "work" abroad.

Funds to Foreign Countries

• Options for getting funds to foreign countries to facilitate field research:
  • Travel Card Procedure
  • SMS Payment Methods
  • Travel Processes and Expense Procedure

Travelling or Shipping Field Equipment

• Travelling abroad with field equipment or shipping it to a destination ahead of time:
  • Customs - Exporting Goods from Canada
  • Customs FAQ