What is a fieldworker?
A fieldworker works for a research company, collecting the data for research projects. They're at the coalface of research, asking people questions which will later be processed and analysed to create useful statistics and knowledge.
The research company draws up a questionnaire for the client. The fieldworkers are then called in for a briefing, where the study is explained to them. We are also told who the sample group is. These are the people we'll need to interview for the project -- for example, women over 25, or black teenagers, or people earning a certain salary.
We then do either face-to-face interviews -- sometimes in people's homes, sometimes at shopping malls, taxi ranks, or office blocks -- or telephone interviews with people from the sample group.
No day is ever the same. One day you could be at a mall testing perfume samples, to see what consumers think about a new fragrance. Or you could be cold-calling people on the phone. Yet another day might find you in rural Mpumalanga, asking people what they think about the elections. The work is very varied, and you decide how best to use your time -- once the briefing is over, it's up to you to ensure you complete your quota of interviews by the deadline.
For me, the best part about fieldworking is the exposure to all kinds of people, and the chance to ask their opinions on a diverse range of topics, from banking to technology to childcare. This job definitely broadens your mind, and gives you a better understanding of people. And of course, you get to travel all over, from the deep rural areas to the richest suburbs.
On the down side, depending on the projects you work on, you could be away from home for days, even weeks. This isn't a nine to five job, nor one that always respects your weekends.
People can also make a fieldworker's job really tough, as many are suspicious of our intentions. You've got to learn to let the abrasive people wash right over you.
People skills are paramount. If you don't like tracking down and talking to complete strangers, then this isn't for you. You've also got to be able to handle rejection, and people giving you the brush-off. And self-discipline is a must, since you won't have people looking over your shoulder all day. A sense of honesty and responsibility is also important, since 'fudged' answers can wreak havoc on a research study.
Depending on the number of projects you land, you can earn between R2 000 and R7 000 a month. A 10-minute face-to-face interview will earn you between R20-R30, and a telephonic interview around R15-R25. Of course, this varies from company to company.
Matric is a must. Other than that though, there aren't any fieldwork specific diplomas or courses yet, but some marketing courses cover research, which can be helpful. Training is usually inhouse and on-the-job.
Fieldworkers usually get into this business through word-of-mouth, getting contacts through family and friends, and from there approaching companies directly. If you see a fieldworker in action, ask him or her who they're working for, or phone the Southern African Marketing Research Association (SAMRA) for a list of their corporate members (011 482-1419, or www.samra.co.za).
-- Megan Chronis
*SAARF AMPS 2002 B
**ACNielsen Omnibus, June 2003
