Fieldwork Report

Course Title: Fieldwork for Research Methodology

Submitted to,
Dr. Mohammad Sadiqunnabi Choudhury
Professor
Department of Economics
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Submitted by
Noushin Tabassum
Registration No: 2019231067
4th Year, 2nd Semester
Department of Economics
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Date of Submission: 4th August, 2025
Executive Summary

The fieldwork for the course ECO 477: Fieldwork for Research Methodology was conducted on
2nd August 2025 as part of an academic research initiative by the Department of Economics at
Shahjalal University of Science and Technology (SUST). The primary objective of this fieldwork
was to collect quantitative data from adult respondents in various parts of Sylhet City
Corporation, focusing on the relationship between financial literacy and financial decision-making
behavior. The survey instrument used was a structured questionnaire developed by Md. Gias
Uddin Ahmed, Associate Professor of Economics at SUST, as part of his research project funded
by the SUST Research Centre, titled “The Role of Financial Literacy on Financial Decision Making:
A Cross-Sectional Study in Sylhet.”

Under the guidance of Dr. Mohammad Sadiqunnabi Choudhury, I was assigned to collect data in
the Kumarpara area, a residential and semi-commercial neighborhood in Sylhet. The data
collection began at around 9:30 AM and continued until 3:00 PM. The process involved door-to-
door surveying of residents using printed copies of the questionnaire. Efforts were made to
ensure that a diverse group of respondents was included, covering various age groups,
educational backgrounds, income levels, and occupations.

Despite facing some weather-related challenges such as heavy rainfall and water-logged roads,
the data collection was successfully completed. Most residents were cooperative and welcomed
the survey initiative. In cases where respondents found certain terms or concepts unfamiliar—
such as "compound interest," "investment risk," or "financial planning"—I explained the
meanings using simplified language to ensure accurate responses.

This fieldwork offered a hands-on learning opportunity to practice real-world data collection
techniques, apply ethical considerations, and understand behavioral patterns related to financial
literacy. The insights gained during this fieldwork will contribute to the larger dataset for the
mentioned research project and are expected to reveal important trends and gaps in financial
knowledge and practices among Sylhet residents.

Introduction

Financial literacy plays a pivotal role in shaping individual and household-level financial behaviors,
influencing a wide range of decisions such as saving, budgeting, borrowing, investing, and long-
term financial planning. In today's complex economic landscape, possessing adequate financial
knowledge is essential not only for achieving personal financial stability but also for contributing
to broader economic development.

Despite the growing importance of financial literacy, many people — particularly in developing
regions — continue to make financial decisions based on limited or incorrect information. This
gap between financial knowledge and financial behavior is especially evident in urban settings
where diverse populations coexist with varying levels of education, income, and access to
financial services.

The study aims to explore how financial literacy influences financial decision-making among
adults in various neighborhoods of Sylhet, including areas with both formal and informal
economic activity. By collecting firsthand data through structured questionnaires, the study
attempts to identify patterns, challenges, and opportunities in the financial behaviors of local
residents.

Our specific task as students was to conduct this survey across different locations within Sylhet
City Corporation. Each group of students was assigned a unique area to ensure representation
from diverse socio-economic and demographic backgrounds. The methodology emphasized
ethical research practices, inclusiveness, and accuracy in capturing the lived financial realities of
the people we engaged with.

This introduction sets the stage for the fieldwork by framing the academic and practical
significance of the research and highlighting its relevance in the context of growing concerns
around financial literacy, inclusion, and sustainable financial behavior in urban Bangladesh.

Methodology

• Demographics: Target population included adult men and women with diverse ages,
education levels, occupations, income brackets, and marital statuses in Kumarpara.

• Sampling Technique: Multi-stage sampling, with our group focusing on Kumarpara and
ensuring a range of respondents.

• Data Collection Tool: Standardized paper-based questionnaire.

• Ethical Consideration: Each respondent gave verbal consent after we explained the
purpose of the study and ensured confidentiality.

Fieldwork Process

Our fieldwork began shortly after the training session conducted by our course instructor. As
members of Team 8, we traveled to Kumarpara, the area assigned to us for data collection. Given
its distance from the university and the unfamiliarity of the location, we opted to travel by a
reserved CNG auto-rickshaw to ensure timely and safe arrival, especially considering the poor
weather conditions.

Once we reached Kumarpara, we began the process of collecting data exclusively from
households. We went door to door, approaching residents and requesting their participation in
the survey. Each enumerator conducted the survey individually while maintaining communication
with other team members for support and coordination.

In most cases, the household members were cooperative and engaged positively with the survey
questions. Some respondents welcomed us warmly, taking interest in the purpose of the
research. In contrast, a few households were either unavailable or chose not to participate.
Nevertheless, we made consistent efforts to reach a diverse group of respondents based on age,
education, and income level.

Despite the persistent rain throughout the day, we completed our assigned data collection tasks
with dedication. The challenging weather made mobility and communication more difficult, but
it also added a memorable aspect to the day. We prioritized respectful interaction, obtained
verbal consent from each respondent, and ensured that ethical standards were maintained
throughout the process.

Personal Experience and Reflections

On the morning of 2nd August 2025, I arrived at the university department at 7:30 AM, becoming
the first student to reach the venue. I was filled with anticipation and excitement, as this fieldwork
had been delayed multiple times due to unavoidable circumstances. After a series of rescheduled
dates, we were finally set to conduct our long-awaited fieldwork — an experience we had been
looking forward to as a crucial part of our undergraduate journey.

The day began with a group breakfast arranged for all participating students. The menu included
chicken khichuri, which, while hearty, was not particularly satisfactory in terms of quality.
However, the lunch — Chicken Dom-Biryani from Sultan’s Dine — was delicious and provided a
much-needed boost after the morning’s activities.

Before heading out to our respective field locations, our course instructor, Dr. Mohammad
Sadiqunnabi Choudhury, organized a brief yet valuable training session on raw data collection
methods. I had the opportunity to take part in the demonstration by volunteering as a
respondent. This short session turned out to be both enjoyable and informative, offering us
practical insight into how to approach individuals of various genders, education levels, and social
backgrounds with respect and professionalism. It also emphasized the importance of asking
questions clearly and neutrally to ensure accurate data collection.

After the session, our group — Team 8 — began our journey toward Kumarpara, our assigned
field location. Given its considerable distance from campus and our unfamiliarity with the area,
we reserved a CNG auto-rickshaw to ensure timely arrival. Unfortunately, the weather conditions
posed a serious challenge. It rained heavily throughout the day, and navigating the roads became
increasingly difficult. Despite being fully drenched, we remained committed to our task.
Upon reaching Kumarpara, we began our survey work by approaching various households. The
responses we received were mixed — some families welcomed us warmly, even offering us tea
and cookies, while others were hesitant or unresponsive, with a few refusing to engage or open
their doors. This variation in attitude was an eye-opener and taught us to remain patient and
polite, regardless of how the interaction unfolded.

Although the constant rain was physically exhausting, it also added an adventurous and
memorable element to the day. I was pleased that, despite being soaked, none of us fell ill
afterward. What could have been a frustrating experience turned into a day full of learning,
laughter, teamwork, and personal growth.

This fieldwork was not just an academic task but a core memory from our undergraduate life —
our first and last field experience as economics students. It offered a genuine sense of connection
to the practical world of research, far beyond the classroom. Alhamdulillah, everything went well,
and I will carry this experience with me with both pride and gratitude.

Challenges

While the fieldwork experience was overall fulfilling and productive, it was not without its share
of challenges. The most significant obstacle we encountered on the day of data collection was the
unfavorable weather. Throughout the day, Sylhet experienced heavy rainfall, which created
multiple difficulties for both transportation and the data collection process itself.

Our assigned area, Kumarpara, was relatively far from the university campus, and given the
weather conditions, commuting there was particularly challenging. We had to arrange a reserved
CNG auto-rickshaw early in the morning to ensure we reached the location on time. The journey
involved navigating waterlogged streets and muddy roads, which not only delayed our arrival but
also made carrying survey materials and moving between households physically demanding.

Once we began collecting data, the rain continued intermittently, often turning into sudden heavy
downpours. As a result, we were completely soaked, and it became difficult to keep the survey
forms dry despite taking precautions with bags, umbrellas, and folders. At times, we had to pause
and seek temporary shelter to protect both ourselves and the questionnaires.

Additionally, the weather also affected the availability and responsiveness of some household
members. A few people were hesitant to open their doors during the rain, and in some cases,
they politely refused to participate, likely due to the inconvenience caused by the poor conditions.
This occasionally slowed down our progress and required us to revisit nearby households to meet
our data targets.

Another challenge was maintaining group coordination in an unfamiliar area. Since we were all
working independently within the same neighborhood, staying in contact and navigating between
narrow streets without prior knowledge of the locality required extra effort and constant
communication among team members.

Despite all these hurdles, our group demonstrated perseverance, adaptability, and teamwork. We
remained committed to completing our assigned task and were grateful that none of us became
ill afterward, given the physical strain and exposure to the rain. Overcoming these challenges not
only made the day memorable but also enhanced our understanding of the real-world difficulties
associated with field-based research.

Observations

During the fieldwork in Kumarpara, we encountered a wide range of human responses and
behaviors that offered valuable insight into the practical realities of conducting household-level
research. One of the most encouraging aspects of the experience was the overall positive attitude
of the respondents. Most of the households we approached responded with warmth and
curiosity. Many individuals were willing to give us time despite their personal routines, which
showed their interest in the subject of the survey and their support for academic research.

It was also evident that many people were unfamiliar with certain financial terms and concepts
included in the questionnaire. Phrases like “interest rate compounding”, “financial planning”,
“investment diversification”, or “retirement savings” were confusing for some, even among
respondents with formal education. As enumerators, we had to rephrase or explain the questions
in simpler language to ensure clarity and understanding without influencing their responses. This
made us realize how financial literacy, though essential, remains a relatively underexplored and
unstructured area in everyday life for many people.

Another interesting observation was the variation in confidence and openness among
respondents. While some individuals were eager to share details about their financial habits,
others appeared cautious or uncomfortable, particularly when discussing income, savings, or
spending behaviors. This required us to maintain a professional, respectful tone and reassuring
body language, emphasizing the confidentiality of the survey. Female respondents, in particular,
were sometimes hesitant to speak at length in the presence of male family members, which subtly
reflected the gender dynamics in decision-making and communication within households.

We also noticed that the attitude toward financial literacy varied across age and occupation.
Younger respondents and those involved in private-sector jobs or business seemed more
enthusiastic about acquiring financial knowledge and were more familiar with digital financial
tools. In contrast, older respondents and homemakers were generally more conservative in their
financial behavior and less confident about using formal financial services.

Additionally, the hospitality of some households was heartwarming. A few families offered us tea,
water, or snacks, which made the field experience more welcoming and meaningful. On the other
hand, there were instances where households declined to participate or didn’t open the door at
all. We understood these reactions without taking them negatively, as they may have stemmed
from privacy concerns or time constraints.

Overall, these observations deepened our understanding of the complex, context-dependent

Preliminary Findings

Although full analysis will follow, initial interactions suggested that a large portion of people
expressed a desire to learn more about savings, budgeting, and investment practices. Financial
literacy appears to be low to moderate among many households, despite a growing awareness of
its importance.

Conclusion

Overall, the fieldwork in Kumarpara was a valuable learning experience. It not only gave me
insights into financial behavior at the household level but also improved my data collection and
communication skills. Despite the weather challenges, we successfully collected quality data
through teamwork and persistence.