Field Research Pre-Planning

10 easy pre-planning steps for Field Research

1. Read the  U of A Off-Campus Activity and Travel Policy.
2. Determine your risk level from Appendix B of the Travel Policy (all medium, high and extreme level work MUST complete a Field Activities Plan (FAP) or for Human-Participant Research, the H-FAP. Go to Insurance & Risk Assessment's Off-Campus Activity & Travel page.
3. Complete the E-Learning Module on How to Create a Field Activities Plan.
4. ID hazards, consider the people, activities, and location of your field project. You can access the Field Research Hazard Control Library to find hazards and controls or the HSE Hazard and Web Assessment App for help!
5. Fill out the FAP template or the H-FAP for your project.
6. If researching outside of Canada, please visit this page.
7. Depending upon the risk assessed,  determine who approves the Field Activities the FAP for approval by the PI/Dean/Provost. Send a copy to your department and keep a copy in the field. 
8. Request a Daily Field Safety Log Book from FRO.
9. Write detailed records of weather conditions, road conditions, persons' behaviors, equipment issues, new hazards that would deviate from the FAP in the Daily Field Safety Log Book.
10. Remember to fill out the Emergency Information Form for each participant to take with you in the field.