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Expecting the unexpected: field research in post-disaster settings

Author

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  • Anuradha Mukherji
  • N. Ganapati
  • Guitele Rahill

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to examine field research after disasters by focusing on fieldwork challenges in post-disaster research settings. We describe and evaluate post-disaster fieldwork based on three separate research projects: A study of land use change adaptation strategies following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami; a study of long-term housing recovery following the 2001 Gujarat Earthquake in India; and a study of the role of social capital in shelter recovery following the 2010 Haiti Earthquake. The main findings of this study deal with some of the unique set of challenges that accompanies fieldwork in post-disaster settings. Our findings indicate six aspects that researchers might consider prior to undertaking fieldwork in a disaster setting: the critical role of language, logistics of transport and living accommodation, methodological matters, the researcher’s position in the field (i.e., gender, ethnicity), fieldwork blues and ethical concerns. Potential solutions to these challenges include understanding the target community prior to embarking on fieldwork, having flexibility in the field to deal with unexpected issues and problems, planning ahead for institutional review board approvals, forming research collaborations and having strategies in place to manage stress in the field. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Anuradha Mukherji & N. Ganapati & Guitele Rahill, 2014. "Expecting the unexpected: field research in post-disaster settings," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 73(2), pages 805-828, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:73:y:2014:i:2:p:805-828
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-014-1105-8
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Matthew Hunt & Catherine M Tansey & James Anderson & Renaud F Boulanger & Lisa Eckenwiler & John Pringle & Lisa Schwartz, 2016. "The Challenge of Timely, Responsive and Rigorous Ethics Review of Disaster Research: Views of Research Ethics Committee Members," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(6), pages 1-15, June.
    2. Chen, Dingjun & Fang, Xufeng & Li, Yao & Ni, Shaoquan & Zhang, Qingpeng & Sang, Chin Kwai, 2022. "Three-level multimodal transportation network for cross-regional emergency resources dispatch under demand and route reliability," Reliability Engineering and System Safety, Elsevier, vol. 222(C).
    3. Isobel Sharpe & Colleen M. Davison, 2022. "A Scoping Review of Climate Change, Climate-Related Disasters, and Mental Disorders among Children in Low- and Middle-Income Countries," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-19, March.

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