Fieldwork refers to research or data collection that is conducted outside of a laboratory, office, or other controlled environment. It involves going into the field, which can be any natural or real-world setting, and collecting information through observation, interviews, surveys, or experiments. Fieldwork is often used in social science research, where researchers may observe people in their natural environments to better understand human behavior and interactions. In other fields such as geology, biology, or anthropology, fieldwork can involve collecting samples, conducting experiments, or documenting findings in the field. Overall, fieldwork is an essential part of many research projects, allowing researchers to gather firsthand information that may not be available through secondary sources alone.