FieldSocio FieldSocio

Social Mapping

Overview

Social mapping helps visualize the spatial layout of a community — houses, institutions, resources, and social relationships. In FieldSocio, you create digital social maps that capture structured data.

Creating a Social Map

  1. Open your project and go to PRA Tools
  2. Select Social Mapping
  3. Tap New Session
  4. Configure the map:
    • Title and description
    • Location (GPS or manual)
    • Participants involved

During the Exercise

  • Add markers for key locations (houses, wells, schools, temples, health centers)
  • Label each marker with details (name, type, condition)
  • Draw boundaries for areas (agricultural land, common land, forest)
  • Add notes about relationships between locations
  • Take photos to document physical features

Data Captured

Each social map session records:

  • All markers with coordinates and metadata
  • Boundary polygons
  • Participant observations and notes
  • Photos linked to locations
  • Session metadata (date, facilitator, participants)

Analysis

Social maps can be:

  • Compared across communities or time periods
  • Overlaid with other spatial data
  • Exported as GeoJSON for GIS software
  • Included in research reports