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In rural area research, fieldwork is important for the collection of data in several disciplines. This study reflects on the challenges encountered during a failed field research project in the Umvoti Local Municipality, South Africa, aimed at exploring rainwater harvesting practices. Despite initial planning, the project was disrupted by community resistance, logistical hurdles, and cultural barriers. Through a reflexive analysis, the study highlights the need for early community engagement, security preparedness, cultural sensitivity, and researcher well-being. It emphasises that rural fieldwork is inherently unpredictable and requires adaptability. Key lessons inform recommendations for future research in similar contexts, stressing the importance of aligning research design with local realities to ensure both scientific relevance and community acceptance.
Keywords:
Community resistance, culture, fieldwork, rural research
Cite Article:
"NAVIGATING FIELDWORK CHALLENGES IN RURAL SOUTH AFRICA: A REFLEXIVE STUDY IN THE UMVOTI LOCAL MUNICIPALITY", International Journal for Research Trends and Innovation (www.ijrti.org), ISSN:2456-3315, Vol.10, Issue 10, page no.a281-a287, October-2025, Available :http://www.ijrti.org/papers/IJRTI2510026.pdf
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ISSN:
2456-3315 | IMPACT FACTOR: 8.14 Calculated By Google Scholar| ESTD YEAR: 2016
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 8.14 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator