Travel restrictions and social distancing measures make it difficult to observe, monitor or manage physical fieldwork. We describe research in progress that applies technologies for real-time remote observation and conversation in on-road vehicles to observe field work on a farm. We collaborated on a pilot deployment of this project at Kreher Eggs in upstate New York. We instrumented a tractor with equipment to remotely observe and interview farm workers performing vehicle-related work. This work was initially undertaken to allow sustained observation of field work over longer periods of time from geographically distant locales; given our current situation, this work provides a case study in how to perform observational research when geographic and bodily distance have become the norm. We discuss our experiences and provide some preliminary insights for others looking to conduct remote observational research in the field.
翻译:旅行限制和社会干扰措施使得难以观察、监测或管理实地作业。我们描述了应用在公路上进行实时远程观察和交谈的技术以观察农场实地工作的进展情况研究。我们合作在纽约州北部Kreher Eggs试行了这个项目。我们用设备装了一台拖拉机,用于远距离观察和采访从事与车辆有关工作的农业工人。这项工作最初是为了在距离遥远的地区长期持续观察实地工作;鉴于我们目前的情况,这项工作提供了在地理和身体距离已成为常规时如何进行观察研究的案例研究。我们讨论了我们的经验,并为其他打算进行实地远距离观察研究的人提供了一些初步的见解。