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What is Field Research: Definition, Methods, Examples and Advantages
What is Field Research?
Field research is defined as a qualitative method of data collection that aims to observe, interact and understand people while they are in a natural environment. For example, nature conservationists observe behavior of animals in their natural surroundings and the way they react to certain scenarios. In the same way, social scientists conducting field research may conduct interviews or observe people from a distance to understand how they behave in a social environment and how they react to situations around them.
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Field research encompasses a diverse range of social research methods including direct observation, limited participation, analysis of documents and other information, informal interviews, surveys etc. Although field research is generally characterized as qualitative research, it often involves multiple aspects of quantitative research in it.
Field research typically begins in a specific setting although the end objective of the study is to observe and analyze the specific behavior of a subject in that setting. The cause and effect of a certain behavior, though, is tough to analyze due to presence of multiple variables in a natural environment. Most of the data collection is based not entirely on cause and effect but mostly on correlation. While field research looks for correlation, the small sample size makes it difficult to establish a causal relationship between two or more variables.
Methods of Field Research
Field research is typically conducted in 5 distinctive methods. They are:
- Direct Observation
In this method, the data is collected via an observational method or subjects in a natural environment. In this method, the behavior or outcome of situation is not interfered in any way by the researcher. The advantage of direct observation is that it offers contextual data on people management , situations, interactions and the surroundings. This method of field research is widely used in a public setting or environment but not in a private environment as it raises an ethical dilemma.
- Participant Observation
In this method of field research, the researcher is deeply involved in the research process, not just purely as an observer, but also as a participant. This method too is conducted in a natural environment but the only difference is the researcher gets involved in the discussions and can mould the direction of the discussions. In this method, researchers live in a comfortable environment with the participants of the research, to make them comfortable and open up to in-depth discussions.
- Ethnography
Ethnography is an expanded observation of social research and social perspective and the cultural values of an entire social setting. In ethnography, entire communities are observed objectively. For example, if a researcher would like to understand how an Amazon tribe lives their life and operates, he/she may chose to observe them or live amongst them and silently observe their day-to-day behavior.
- Qualitative Interviews
Qualitative interviews are close-ended questions that are asked directly to the research subjects. The qualitative interviews could be either informal and conversational, semi-structured, standardized and open-ended or a mix of all the above three. This provides a wealth of data to the researcher that they can sort through. This also helps collect relational data. This method of field research can use a mix of one-on-one interviews, focus groups and text analysis .
A case study research is an in-depth analysis of a person, situation or event. This method may look difficult to operate, however, it is one of the simplest ways of conducting research as it involves a deep dive and thorough understanding the data collection methods and inferring the data.
Steps in Conducting Field Research
Due to the nature of field research, the magnitude of timelines and costs involved, field research can be very tough to plan, implement and measure. Some basic steps in the management of field research are:
- Build the Right Team: To be able to conduct field research, having the right team is important. The role of the researcher and any ancillary team members is very important and defining the tasks they have to carry out with defined relevant milestones is important. It is important that the upper management too is vested in the field research for its success.
- Recruiting People for the Study: The success of the field research depends on the people that the study is being conducted on. Using sampling methods , it is important to derive the people that will be a part of the study.
- Data Collection Methodology: As spoken in length about above, data collection methods for field research are varied. They could be a mix of surveys, interviews, case studies and observation. All these methods have to be chalked out and the milestones for each method too have to be chalked out at the outset. For example, in the case of a survey, the survey design is important that it is created and tested even before the research begins.
- Site Visit: A site visit is important to the success of the field research and it is always conducted outside of traditional locations and in the actual natural environment of the respondent/s. Hence, planning a site visit alongwith the methods of data collection is important.
- Data Analysis: Analysis of the data that is collected is important to validate the premise of the field research and decide the outcome of the field research.
- Communicating Results: Once the data is analyzed, it is important to communicate the results to the stakeholders of the research so that it could be actioned upon.
Field Research Notes
Keeping an ethnographic record is very important in conducting field research. Field notes make up one of the most important aspects of the ethnographic record. The process of field notes begins as the researcher is involved in the observational research process that is to be written down later.
Types of Field Research Notes
The four different kinds of field notes are:
- Job Notes: This method of taking notes is while the researcher is in the study. This could be in close proximity and in open sight with the subject in study. The notes here are short, concise and in condensed form that can be built on by the researcher later. Most researchers do not prefer this method though due to the fear of feeling that the respondent may not take them seriously.
- Field Notes Proper: These notes are to be expanded on immediately after the completion of events. The notes have to be detailed and the words have to be as close to possible as the subject being studied.
- Methodological Notes: These notes contain methods on the research methods used by the researcher, any new proposed research methods and the way to monitor their progress. Methodological notes can be kept with field notes or filed separately but they find their way to the end report of a study.
- Journals and Diaries: This method of field notes is an insight into the life of the researcher. This tracks all aspects of the researchers life and helps eliminate the Halo effect or any bias that may have cropped up during the field research.
Reasons to Conduct Field Research
Field research has been commonly used in the 20th century in the social sciences. But in general, it takes a lot of time to conduct and complete, is expensive and in a lot of cases invasive. So why then is this commonly used and is preferred by researchers to validate data? We look at 4 major reasons:
- Overcoming lack of data: Field research resolves the major issue of gaps in data. Very often, there is limited to no data about a topic in study, especially in a specific environment. The problem might be known or suspected but there is no way to validate this without primary research and data. Conducting field research helps not only plug-in gaps in data but collect supporting material and hence is a preferred research method of researchers.
- Understanding context of the study: In many cases, the data collected is adequate but field research is still conducted. This helps gain insight into the existing data. For example, if the data states that horses from a stable farm generally win races because the horses are pedigreed and the stable owner hires the best jockeys. But conducting field research can throw light into other factors that influence the success like quality of fodder and care provided and conducive weather conditions.
- Increasing the quality of data: Since this research method uses more than one tool to collect data, the data is of higher quality. Inferences can be made from the data collected and can be statistically analyzed via the triangulation of data.
- Collecting ancillary data: Field research puts the researchers in a position of localized thinking which opens them new lines of thinking. This can help collect data that the study didn’t account to collect.
Examples of Field Research
Some examples of field research are:
- Decipher social metrics in a slum Purely by using observational methods and in-depth interviews, researchers can be part of a community to understand the social metrics and social hierarchy of a slum. This study can also understand the financial independence and day-to-day operational nuances of a slum. The analysis of this data can provide an insight into how different a slum is from structured societies.
- U nderstand the impact of sports on a child’s development This method of field research takes multiple years to conduct and the sample size can be very large. The data analysis of this research provides insights into how the kids of different geographical locations and backgrounds respond to sports and the impact of sports on their all round development.
- Study animal migration patterns Field research is used extensively to study flora and fauna. A major use case is scientists monitoring and studying animal migration patterns with the change of seasons. Field research helps collect data across years and that helps draw conclusions about how to safely expedite the safe passage of animals.
Advantages of Field Research
The advantages of field research are:
- It is conducted in a real-world and natural environment where there is no tampering of variables and the environment is not doctored.
- Due to the study being conducted in a comfortable environment, data can be collected even about ancillary topics.
- The researcher gains a deep understanding into the research subjects due to the proximity to them and hence the research is extensive, thorough and accurate.
Disadvantages of Field Research
The disadvantages of field research are:
- The studies are expensive and time-consuming and can take years to complete.
- It is very difficult for the researcher to distance themselves from a bias in the research study.
- The notes have to be exactly what the researcher says but the nomenclature is very tough to follow.
- It is an interpretive method and this is subjective and entirely dependent on the ability of the researcher.
- In this method, it is impossible to control external variables and this constantly alters the nature of the research.
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Field studies.
Summary: Field research is conducted in the user’s context and location. Learn the unexpected by leaving the office and observing people in their natural environment.
By Susan Farrell
- Susan Farrell
on 2016-10-23 October 23, 2016
- Research Methods Research Methods
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Introduction
It’s difficult to identify gaps in one’s own understanding . Reading and discussing issues with other UX professionals and subject-matter experts can help; but, especially when designing new things with new technologies and capabilities, it’s best to begin by taking an open mind to where the action is.
UX researchers are responsible for learning about users, their goals, challenges, and activities, and for bringing that understanding to the organization. Lab-based studies and analytics can help only to the extent that you ask the right questions and look in the right places for the right data. Studying users and tasks in context can inform design decisions and can put the focus on outcomes, not features . When you notice gaps in your knowledge or understanding, it may be time to get out of the office and investigate, watch, and learn.
What Is a Field Study?
Definition: Field studies are research activities that take place in the user’s context rather than in your office or lab .
The range of possible field-study methods and activities is very wide. Field studies also vary a lot in terms of how the researcher interacts (or doesn’t) with participants. Some field studies are purely observational (the researcher is a “fly on the wall”), some are interviews in which the questions evolve as understanding increases, and some involve prototype feature exploration or demonstration of pain points in existing systems.
Examples of field studies include:
- Flexible user tests in the field , which combine usability testing with adaptive interviews . Interviewing people about their tasks and challenges gives you very rich information. In an adaptive interview, you refine the questions you ask as you learn.
- Customer visits can help you better understand usability issues that arise in particular industry or business contexts or those that appear at a certain scale.
- Direct observation is useful for conducting design research into user processes, for instance to help create natural task flows for subsequent paper prototypes . Direct observation is also great for learning user vocabulary , understanding businesses’ interaction with customers, and discovering common workarounds — for example by listening in on support calls, watching people moving through amusement parks, or observing sales staff and customers in stores.
- Ethnographic research situates you in the users’ context as a member of the group. Group research allows you to gain insight into mental models and social situations that can help products and services fit into people’s lives. This type of research is particularly helpful when your target audience lives in a culture different from yours.
- Contextual inquiry is a method that structures and combines many of these field-study activities.
Field research is usually done with one of the following goals in mind:
- Gather task information. You can find out how people do things today and why they do them in particular ways, before proposing something new. Early design research can help prevent big mistakes when creating products and services.
- Understand people’s needs and discover opportunities for addressing them.
- Obtain data for journey maps , personas , use cases, and user stories . Field studies help you to understand your users in depth, so you can better describe them for your team.
- Test systems under realistic conditions . You can discover social defects and understand environmental factors before releasing products . Contextual research helps discover things you wouldn’t know to ask about, such as problems that crop up when new tools or processes are introduced into existing work practices.
When to Leave the Lab for the Field
Any of the following are good reasons for running a field study:
- You need big-picture insights. Field studies can be done at any time, but it often makes sense to do them before design (or redesign) begins, because such research can lead to fundamental shifts in understanding your users and can change what you would design for them.
- You don’t know enough about your actual or prospective users.
- You need to understand how people normally do their work and how they set up their environment to support their tasks . Watching people do particular activities can illuminate what people really do versus what they say they would do . Field studies that focus on specific tasks help researchers learn how to improve the experience of doing them.
- Cultural context: For example, your users may live in a different region or country.
- Context of use: Your customers may be using the interface or engage in a behavior of interest in a particular location or circumstance that is hard to replicate in the lab (for example, while walking, shopping, attending an event, riding the bus, or when it’s raining).
- You need to understand how groups of people behave , for example to find out how they collaborate, interrupt, and communicate, or to watch people use systems, workflows, and tools together. With many people in the mix, you can observe a wide range of behavior, knowledge, experience, and concerns.
- Your participants can’t travel to your location . For example, you may need to go where the users are when you’re conducting research with people with physical or transportation challenges, extremely limited availability (doctors or others who can’t leave work), or children at school.
- Lab research might bias your results , for example because the tasks can’t all be done in a lab, the lab context is too unrealistic, intimidating, or otherwise excludes people whom you want to observe. Familiar surroundings and normal equipment are often preferred because they come closest to natural user conditions.
- You need to work with systems you can’t access in the lab , such as B2B applications, specialized equipment (anything from bulldozers to battleships), or secure systems.
When You Might Want to Use Other Methods
If money were no object, we would probably all do much more field research. Unfortunately, field methods have not become cheaper at the same rate as other usability methods, and they can be challenging to budget or schedule. Field studies are still worthwhile, for example when you’re researching how and whether to make a new product, but it’s best to gather as much data as possible with cheaper methods. Beyond reasons of resource constraint, you might decide to stay out of the field in certain other cases.
Research in the Lab or Office
It’s sometimes best to conduct in-person research in labs, conference rooms, or other spaces that are not where people normally do the activity you want to study. For example: When what you are testing or researching is particularly confidential , sensitive, or private; when you have many observers for the research sessions; when you need to record but you can’t do that where participants work; when you’re testing systems or prototypes; or when the research focus is mainly on the usability of the system , rather than on people’s context, nature, and situation.
Remote, Attended Usability Research
UX researchers can get some of the advantages of both field and lab studies by conducting research live, using various audio–visual tools, with participants and facilitators each in their chosen locations. The remote, interactive approach can often be cheaper and faster than field or lab studies. Everyone avoids expensive and time-consuming travel to unfamiliar places. Being in your own space also offers comfort, familiar tools, and convenience.
A tradeoff with remote research is that you can’t see what the user’s camera doesn’t show you. That missing context is often important when you are trying to understand people and their environment.
Remote, attended studies make sense: When your participants are all over the map , and traveling to meet in person is too difficult or expensive; when it’s important to get some specific answers quickly and cheaply, and you already understand the people, tasks, and contexts in depth ; when you need to conduct sessions a few at a time , for example when testing early designs with only a couple of users for each iteration.
How to Plan a Field Study
Make a research plan .
Location. Decide where best to observe people in action . Go where your potential users are most likely to be found: workplaces, schools, shopping centers, airports, and so on.
Assistance. When applicable , work with an ally onsite . When visiting a business, for example, you might need help recruiting, scheduling, reminding, rewarding, and briefing participants. An onsite helper can escort you, introduce you, and help you with equipment or space issues. You may need to get permission in advance to conduct research in public or commercial spaces.
Participants . Study people who are representative of your target audience groups. Depending on the research method you use, you might need a professional recruiter or a team member to help you screen and schedule people.
Observers . Decide whether to allow stakeholders to watch. Although it’s often strategically important and desirable to involve stakeholders in observing user research , it’s not always possible with field studies.
Sometimes observers won’t fit in the space, or they would make the research situation too intimidating or otherwise create a weird situation for the users. When that happens, you won’t get to observe the most natural behavior and you might not get the candid information that you need.
On the other hand, with B2B site visits to customer companies, it’s common for stakeholders from both companies to want to be present for the research sessions to some extent. Sometimes outside researchers can’t be left alone with participants, so observers must be present. Observers often need a place to sit, talk, and work through issues raised in your debriefings. Observers may also need guidance in how to observe and how to help collect data , so they won’t behave badly .
When you encounter problems or behavior that you don’t understand around existing products or services, field studies can help you take a step back and find a new perspective, in order to correct your own mental models .
Doing research where people are can be crucial to understanding whether new products and services will help, hinder, or fall flat for the people you aim to assist. Set aside assumptions and allow insights to reframe what you’re creating and how that will affect the experiences of the people you’re designing for.
(We can come to your team and teach a full-day course on how to conduct ethnographic field studies in your UX projects.)
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About the Author
Farrell joined All Turtles, an AI product studio, in 2017, where she leads UX Research and Strategy for chatbots and smart-device systems. She was previously an early member of Nielsen Norman Group, from 1999-2017, where she consulted with dozens of companies — multinationals, government, open source, and early startups — regarding website and mobile device usability, interaction design and information architecture. She conducted the User Experience Careers survey, co-authored the E-Commerce User Experience research series, conducted accessibility research for the Usability Guidelines for Accessible Web Design report, and contributed to many other NN/g research reports.
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Field Research : Definition, Examples & Methodology
- August 19, 2021
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Table of Contents
What is field research.
Field Research is a method of collecting qualitative data with the aim to understand, observe, and interact with people in their natural setting. It requires specialized market research tools . The goal is to understand how a subject behaves in a specific setting to identify how different variables in this setting may be interacting with the subject. Field research is used most in the field of social science, such as anthropology and health care professions, as in these fields it is vital to create a bridge between theory and practice.
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Methods of Field Research
There are 4 main methods of conducting field research, and they are as follows:
- Ethnography
Ethnography is a kind of fieldwork that aims to record and analyse a particular culture, society, or community. This method defines social anthropology, and it usually involves the complete immersion of an anthropologist in the culture and everyday life of the community they are trying to study.
2. Qualitative Interviews
The goal of qualitative interviews is to provide a researcher with a breadth of information that they can sift through in order to make inferences of their sample group. It does so through interviews by directly asking participants questions. There are three types of qualitative interviews; informal, conversational, and open ended.
3. Direct observation
This method of field research involves researchers gathering information on their subject through close visual inspection in their natural setting. The researcher, and in this case the observer, remains unobtrusive and detached in order to not influence the behavior of their subject.
4. Participant Observation
In this method of field research, the researchers join people by participating in certain group activities relating to their study in order to observe the participants in the context of said activity.
Steps to conduct Field Research
The following are some key steps taken in conducting field research:
- Identifying and obtaining a team of researchers who are specialized in the field of research of the study.
- Identifying the right method of field research for your research topic. The various methods of field research are discussed above. A lot of factors will play a role in deciding what method a researcher chooses, such as duration of the study, financial limitations, and type of study.
- Visiting the site/setting of the study in order to study the main subjects of the study.
- Analyzing the data collected through field research.
- Constructively communicating the results of the field research, whether that be through a research paper or newspaper article etc.
Reasons to conduct Field Research
The following are a few reasons as to why field research is conducted, typically via market research tools :
- To understand the context of studies : field research allows researchers to identify the setting of their subjects to draw correlations between how their surroundings may be affecting certain behaviors.
- To acquire in-depth and high quality data : Field research provides in-depth information as subjects are observed and analysed for a long period of time.
- When there is a lack of data on a certain subject : field research can be used to fill gaps in data that may only be filled through in-depth primary research.
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Examples of field research.
The following are real studies conducted using field research in order to answer questions about human behavior in certain settings:
- William Foote Whyte used participant observation in his 1942 study to answer the question “How is the social structure of a local “slum” organized?”. The study involved over 3 years of participation and observations among an Italian community in Boston’s North End.
- Liebow’s study in 1967 involved twenty months of participation and observations among an African American community in Washington, DC, to answer the question “How do the urban poor live?”.
- American sociologist, Cheri Jo Pascoe, conducted eighteen months of observations and interviews in a racially diverse working-class high school to answer the question “How is masculinity constructed by and among high school students, and what does this mean for our understanding of gender and sexuality?”.
Advantages of Field Research
- Can yield detailed data as researchers get to observe their subjects in their own setting.
- May uncover new social facts : Field research can be used to uncover social facts that may not be easily discernible, and that the research participants may also be unaware of.
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Disadvantages of Field Research
- Expensive to collect : most methods of field research involve the researcher to immerse themselves into new settings for long periods of time in order to acquire in-depth data. This can be expensive.
- Time consuming : Field research is time consuming to conduct.
- Information gathered may lack breadth : Field research involves in-depth studies and will usually tend to have a small sample group as researchers may be unable to collect in-depth data from large groups of people.
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Field Study; Definition
A Rule by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service on 02/09/2000
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Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
Final rule.
We are amending the Animal Welfare regulations by clarifying the definition of the term field study. We will clarify that a field study cannot involve an invasive procedure, harm the animals under study, or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study. As worded prior to this final rule, the definition of field study could be interpreted to mean that a field study may include one of these situations. This action will help ensure the proper use and care of animals used in field studies.
March 10, 2000.
Dr. Jerry DePoyster, Senior Veterinary Medical Officer, Animal Care, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 84, Riverdale, MD 20737-1228; (301) 734-7586.
The Animal Welfare Act (AWA) ( 7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq. ) authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate standards and other requirements governing the humane handling, housing, care, treatment, and transportation of certain animals by dealers, research facilities, exhibitors, carriers, and intermediate handlers.
The regulations established under the Act are contained in title 9 of the Code of Federal Regulations , chapter I, subchapter A, parts 1, 2, and 3. Part 1 defines various terms used in parts 2 and 3.
As defined in § 1.1 of the regulations prior to this final rule, field study meant any study that is “conducted on free-living wild animals in their natural habitat, which does not involve an invasive procedure, and which does not harm or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study.”
We have always intended that field studies not include any invasive procedures, harm the animals under study, or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study. However, we were concerned that the definition, as worded above, could be interpreted to mean that a field study could include any one of these situations.
On July 31, 1998, we published in the Federal Register ( 63 FR 40844-40845 , Docket No. 98-043-1) a proposal to amend the definition of field study in § 1.1 of the regulations by defining field study as any study conducted on free-living wild animals in their natural habitat. We also proposed to add the provision that the term field study excludes any study that involves an invasive procedure or has the potential to harm or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study. This proposed action was based on the need to ensure that studies conducted in free-living wild animals in their natural habitat are correctly classified as field studies based on the definition of field study.
We solicited comments concerning our proposal for 60 days ending September 29, 1998. We received seven comments. They were from universities; animal welfare organizations; an association representing birds; an association representing fish, reptiles, and amphibians; and an association representing zoos and aquariums. Two commenters supported the proposal as written. However, one of these commenters and the remaining commenters had concerns that are discussed below.
One commenter stated that the previous definition of field study was perfectly clear and unambiguous and did not need to be amended. In addition, two commenters stated that the proposed change in the definition of field study would exclude all projects that involve invasive procedures. One commenter requested that we delay the change of the definition. Two commenters stated that any study has the potential to harm or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study; therefore, no study could be classified as a field study.
We do not believe that the previous definition was clear to everyone. For instance, two commenters stated that the proposed change in the definition of field study would exclude all projects that involve invasive procedures. However, the previous definition of field study always excluded studies that involved invasive procedures, harmed the animals under study, or materially altered the behavior of the animals under study. In addition, in the past, some entities interpreted the definition to mean that a field study may include any one of these situations as long as it did not include all of them. In our proposed definition of field study, we clarified that a study that includes any one of the situations could not be considered a field study.
As to the use of the word potential, we agree that it is unnecessary; therefore, we are removing the word Start Printed Page 6313 potential from the definition of field study in this final rule.
One commenter stated that the definition is internally inconsistent. The commenter stated that if a field study is any study conducted on free-living wild animals in their natural habitat (emphasis added), then the second part of our definition, which excludes a subset of those studies (those that involve invasive procedures or have the potential to harm or materially alter the behavior of an animal), does not make sense.
This is a question of sentence structure, which we have addressed in this final rule by changing the word “any” in the first sentence to “an” and beginning the second sentence with “However,”. We believe that this change solves the sentence structure problem.
One commenter stated that the words “harm,” “invasive,” and “materially alter” should be defined or else the determination of whether a study should be classified as a field study will be left to the discretion of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) at different facilities. One commenter stated that the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) should provide definitions for invasive or noninvasive, and one commenter stated that APHIS should provide guidelines or regulations for defining invasive procedure and standard animal husbandry procedures. In addition, one commenter stated that APHIS should issue guidelines or a policy to state what the Agency classifies as a field study.
We do not believe that the terms “harm,” “invasive,” and “materially alter” need to be defined. However, we are considering the development of a policy statement that would provide examples of what APHIS considers invasive or noninvasive procedures. We do not believe that guidelines or regulations for defining standard animal husbandry procedures are necessary. Standard animal husbandry procedures are procedures that are necessary for the health and maintenance of animals on a premises.
One commenter stated that the proposed definition of field study obscures rather than clarifies the intent of field studies. This commenter stated that restriction of the term field study to exclude invasive procedures does not clarify the definition. This commenter stated that field studies have no inherent implication of invasiveness and should retain the common and professional meaning of “the study of organisms in the field,” and after classification as a field study, the study should then be qualified as invasive or noninvasive.
The term field study has always excluded any study that involved an invasive procedure; therefore, we have not altered the intent of the definition. In order to be absolutely clear as to what constitutes a field study, the definition of field study had to provide the situations that would exclude a study from being considered a field study under the AWA regulations.
One commenter requested clarification that our proposal would not make changes in the administration of the AWA regulations by APHIS and IACUC's and that it would not prohibit or restrict field studies or impose additional requirements on researchers.
We only clarified the definition of field study by removing the word “and” and any ambiguity created by the word “and.” We did not make substantive changes, prohibit or restrict field studies, or impose additional requirements on researchers.
One commenter stated that the composition of the members of the IACUC can vary greatly and the expertise of the membership may not represent all disciplines that are subject to review. This commenter further stated that the IACUC may not have members experienced in the activities commonly conducted in field studies or experience in performing certain procedures under field conditions. Another commenter stated that most IACUC's do not include field researchers who are able to appreciate the unique conditions of field research. One commenter stated that a growing number of investigators, institutions, and granting agencies require any research use of animals in the field or laboratory to be reviewed by their IACUC, and self-determination by the investigator does not protect him or her or the institution, nor does it provide for consistent peer-reviewed determination of invasive procedures.
Comments regarding the membership and function of IACUC's are beyond the scope of this rule; however, in accordance with § 2.31(a) of the regulations, the Chief Executive Officer of the research facility is responsible for appointing the members of the IACUC. Members of the IACUC are required to have the experience and expertise to assess the research facility's animal programs, facilities, and procedures, including the review of all proposed and ongoing research projects.
The principal investigator is responsible for determining whether a study is a field study. If the principal investigator reviews a field study protocol and has questions regarding whether a procedure is invasive or noninvasive, the investigator can consult with the IACUC of the facility. In addition, in accordance with the regulations in § 2.31(c)(1), at least once every 6 months the IACUC must review the research facility's program for the humane care and use of animals by using the AWA regulations as a basis for evaluation. Therefore, if a study is misclassified as a field study, the IACUC will have the opportunity to take action to reclassify the study.
One commenter stated that there are studies that involve implantation of transponders or radiotransmitters and procedures, such as marking the animals with minor clipping or branding, that could technically be considered invasive procedures and are not conducted under sterile conditions. The commenter further stated that trauma to subjects is minimized by reducing the handling time.
An invasive procedure is typically one in which the living animal is entered by either perforation or incision in a manner that could cause more than short-lived pain or distress and may materially alter the behavior of the animal for more than a short period of time. For instance, opening the body cavity of an animal would be considered invasive and could cause the animal to materially alter its behavior until completely healed from the surgery. However, implantations of microchips and transponders may not be invasive depending on the site and method of implantation.
One commenter asked if a facility that is currently licensed as an exhibitor under the AWA would have to register as a research facility if an employee is approved to initiate a noninvasive research project in the field. The commenter stated that it was unclear when a research project is considered a regulated research project.
If the research project meets the definition of field study, the research project would not fall under the AWA regulations. However, if the research project does not meet the definition of field study ( i.e., includes an invasive procedure, harms, or materially alters the behavior of the animals) the research project would need to be regulated under the AWA, and the facility would need to be registered as a research facility.
One commenter stated that he could not locate the statutory authority given to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) over animal care in the wild, whether or not the animals are involved in research. The commenter stated that the AWA assigns APHIS authority over specific warm-blooded animals on Start Printed Page 6314 public display or intended for use in research facilities ( 7 U.S.C. 2131 ). The commenter added that it is not clear how USDA has authority if the noninvasive research does not involve animals or activities that are in interstate or foreign commerce or does not substantially affect such commerce or its free flow as provided in the AWA ( 7 U.S.C. 2131 ).
The purpose of defining the term field study in our regulations is to exclude from the regulations those activities that meet the definition. Thus, if a study is conducted on free-living wild animals in their natural habitat and the study does not involve an invasive procedure, does not harm the animals under study, and does not materially alter the behavior of the animals under study, then that activity is not regulated.
The AWA defines animal as any live or dead dog, cat, nonhuman primate, guinea pig, hamster, rabbit, or such other warm-blooded animal as the Secretary may determine is being used, or is intended for use, for research, testing, experimentation, or exhibition purposes, or as a pet. This definition does not exclude animals in the wild. If a research facility conducts a study on animals in the wild that does not meet the criteria for a field study, then that activity would be regulated. The AWA defines research facility as any school (except an elementary or secondary school), institution, organization, or person that uses or intends to use live animals in research, tests, or experiments and that: (1) Purchases or transports live animals in commerce; or (2) receives funds under a grant, award, loan, or contract from a department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States for the purpose of carrying out research, tests, or experiments. * * *”
One commenter stated that researchers appear to be circumventing the AWA by claiming that trap tests performed on wildlife are field studies. Trapping, including the testing of traps, is not regulated by the AWA.
Therefore, for the reasons given in the proposed rule and in this document, we are adopting the proposed rule as a final rule, with the changes discussed in this document.
This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12866. The rule has been determined to be not significant for the purposes of Executive Order 12866 and, therefore, has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget.
This final rule will clarify that a field study cannot include an invasive procedure, harm the animals under study, or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study.
We have always intended that field studies not include any invasive procedures, harm the animals under study, or materially alter the behavior of the animals under study. This rule makes no substantive changes to the definition. By clarifying the definition of field study, this final rule will help ensure that studies that should be covered under the Animal Welfare regulations are covered.
The only entities that will be affected by this rule will be entities that perform studies conducted on free-living wild animals in their natural habitat. We estimate that at least 50 entities may be affected by this final rule. These entities may be considered small and large entities by Small Business Administration standards, but this final rule will only affect a small portion of the entities' activities. As we are not proposing a substantive change in the definition, the effect on these entities will not be significant.
Under these circumstances, the Administrator of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service has determined that this action will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This program/activity is listed in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance under No. 10.025 and is subject to Executive Order 12372, which requires intergovernmental consultation with State and local officials. (See 7 CFR part 3015, subpart V .)
This final rule has been reviewed under Executive Order 12988 , Civil Justice Reform. It is not intended to have retroactive effect. This rule would not preempt any State and local laws, regulations, or policies, unless they present an irreconcilable conflict with this rule. The Act does not provide administrative procedures which must be exhausted prior to a judicial challenge to the provisions of this rule.
This proposed rule contains no information collection or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 ( 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. ).
- Animal welfare
- Reporting and recordkeeping requirements
Accordingly, we are amending 9 CFR part 1 as follows:
1. The authority citation for part 1 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 2131-2159 ; 7 CFR 2.22 , 2.80 , and 371.2(g) .
2. In § 1.1, the definition of field study is revised to read as follows:
Field study means a study conducted on free-living wild animals in their natural habitat. However, this term excludes any study that involves an invasive procedure, harms, or materially alters the behavior of an animal under study.
Done in Washington, DC, this 3rd day of February 2000.
Richard L. Dunkle,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[ FR Doc. 00-2922 Filed 2-8-00; 8:45 am]
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- What is Field Research: Meaning, Examples, Pros & Cons
Introduction
Field research is a method of research that deals with understanding and interpreting the social interactions of groups of people and communities by observing and dealing with people in their natural settings.
The field research methods involve direct observation, participant observation, and qualitative interviews.
Let’s take a deeper look at field research, what it entails, some examples as well as the pros and cons of field research.
What is Field Research
Field research can be defined as a qualitative method of data collection focused on observing, relating, and understanding people while they are in their natural environment. It is somewhat similar to documentaries on Nat Geo wild where the animals are observed in their natural habitat.
Similarly, social scientists, who are sometimes called men watchers carry out interviews and observe people from a distance to see how they act in a social environment and react to situations around them.
Field research usually begins in a specific setting and the end game is to study, observe and analyze the subject within that setting. It looks at the cause and effect as well as the correlation between the participants and their natural setting. Due to the presence of multiple variables, it is sometimes difficult to properly analyze the results of field research.
Field research adopts a wide range of social research methods, such as limited participation, direct observation, document analysis, surveys, and informal interviews. Although field research is generally considered qualitative research , it often involves multiple elements of quantitative research.
Methods of Field Research
There are 5 different methods of conducting Field Research and they are as follows;
1. Direct Observation
In this method of research, the researcher watches and records the activities of groups of people or individuals as they go about their daily activities. Direct observation can be structured or unstructured.
Structured here means that the observation takes place using a guide or process developed before that time.
Unstructured, on the other hand, means that the researcher conducted the observation, watching people and events, and taking notes as events progressed, without the aid of any predetermined technique.
Some other features of direct observation include the following;
- The observer does not attempt to actively engage the people being observed in conversations or interviews, rather he or she blends into the crowd and carries out their observation.
- Data collected include field notes, videos, photographs, rating scales, etc.
- Direct observation most times occurs in the open, usually public settings, that requires no permission to gain entry. Conducting direct observation in a private setting would raise ethical concerns.
- The outcome of direct observation is not in any way influenced by the researcher.
2. Participant Observation
This research method has an understanding with a group of individuals, to take part in their daily routines and their scheduled events. In this case, the researcher dwells among the group or community being observed for as long as is necessary to build trust and evoke acceptance.
Data from the participant’s observation take the following varying forms;
- Field notes are the primary source of data. These notes are taken during the researcher’s observations and from the events they experienced and later developed the notes into formal field notes.
- A diary is used to record special intimate events that occur within the setting.
- The process of participant observation is intent on developing relationships with the members which breed conversations that are sometimes formal or informal. Formal here refers to deliberate depth interviews, while informal could stem from everyday conversations that give insight into the study.
Data from these events can be part of the field notes or separate interview transcripts.
The method of participant observation aims to make the people involved comfortable enough to share what they know freely without any inhibition.
3. Ethnography
Ethnography is a form of field research that carries out observation through social research, social perspective, and the cultural values of a social setting. In this scenario, the observation is carried out objectively, hence the researcher may choose to live within a social environment of a cultural group and silently observe and record their daily routines and behavior.
4. Qualitative Interviews
Qualitative interviews are a type of field research method that gets information by asking direct questions from individuals to gather data on a particular subject. Qualitative interviews are usually conducted via 3 methods namely;
- Informal Interviews
- Semi Structured Interviews
- Standardized Open ended Interviews
Let’s take a look at each of them briefly along with their advantages and disadvantages.
This kind of interview is often conversational and occurs during participant and direct observations.
The interview is triggered, most times spontaneously by conversing with a member of the group on the areas of interest and as the conversation progresses, the researcher fluidly introduces the specific question.
- Semi-Structured Interviews
In this scenario, the researcher already has a list of prepared questions, that are open-ended and can evoke as much information as possible. The researcher can venture into other topics as the interview progresses, using a call-and-response style.
This method of field research can adopt a mix of one-on-one interviews or focus groups.
- Standardized, Open-Ended Interviews
These are scripted interviews with the questions prepped and written before the interview following a predetermined order. It is similar to a survey and the questions are open-ended to gather detailed information from the respondents and sometimes it involves multiple interviewers.
5. Case Study
A case study research is a detailed analysis of a person, situation, or event. This method may seem a bit complex, however, it is one of the easiest ways of conducting research. difficult to operate, however, it is one of the simplest ways of researching as it involves only a detailed study of an individual or a group of people or events. Every aspect of the subject life and history is analyzed to identify patterns and causes of behavior.
Steps to Conduct Field Research
Due to the nature of field research, the tight timelines, and the associated costs involved, planning and implementing can be a bit overwhelming. We have put together steps to adopt that would make the whole process hitch free for you.
Set Up The Right Team : To begin your field research, the first step is to have the right team. The role of the researcher and the team members has to be well defined from the start, with the relevant milestones agreed upon to measure progress.
Recruiting People for the Study : The success of field research largely depends on the people being studied. Evaluate the individuals selected for the research to be sure that they tick all the boxes required for successful research in the area of study that is being researched.
Data Collection Methodology : The methodology of data collection adopted must be suited to the area or kind of research being conducted. It could be one of the methods or a combination of two or more methods.
Visit The Site: A prior visit to the site is essential to the success of the field research. This should be done to also help determine the best methodology that would be suitable for the location.
Data Analysis: Analyzing the data gathered is important to validate the hypothesis of the field research.
Communicating Results : Once the data is analyzed, communicate the results to the stakeholders involved in the research so that the relevant action required based on the results can be decided and carried out promptly.
Reasons to Conduct Field Research
Field research has been widely used in the 20th century in the social sciences. However, it can be time-consuming and costly to implement. Despite this fact, there exist a lot of reasons to conduct field research.
Here are 4 major reasons to conduct field research:
Solves the problem of lack of data : Field research fixes the issue of gaps in data, especially in cases where there is very little or no data about a topic. In cases like this, the only way to validate any hypothesis is through primary research and data. Conducting field research solves the problem of data lapses and provides material evidence to support any findings.
Understanding the context of the study : In many cases, the data collected is appropriate, however for a deep understanding of the data gathered there is a need for field research to help understand other factors in the study. For instance, if data show that students from rich homes generally do well academically.
Conducting field research can bring to the fore other factors like, discipline, well-equipped teachers, motivation from their forebears to excel in whatever they do, etc. but field research is still conducted.
Increasing data quality: Since this research, method employs the use of multiple tools to collect data and varying methodologies, the quality of data is higher.
Collecting ancillary data : Field research puts the researchers in a position of being at the center of the data collection process, in terms of location, one on one relationship with the participants, etc. This exposes them to new lines of thought that would have hitherto been overlooked and they can now collect data, that was not planned for at the beginning of the study.
Examples of Field Research
1. Interprete social metrics in a slum By employing the use of observation methods and formal interviews, researchers can now understand the social indicators and social hierarchy that exist in a slum.
Financial independence and the way the slum is run daily are part of the study and data collected from these areas can give insight into the way a slum operates differently from structured societies.
2. Understand the impact of sports on a child’s development This method of field research takes years to conduct and the sample size can be quite huge. Data collected and analyzed from this study provides insight into how children from different physical locations and backgrounds are influenced by sports and the impact of sporting activities on a child’s development.
3. The study of animal migration patterns Field research is used immensely to study flora and fauna. A major use case is scientists observing and studying animal migration patterns alongside the change of seasons and its influence on animal migration patterns.
Field research takes time and uses months and sometimes years to help gather data that show how to safely expedite the passage of animals.
Advantages of Field Research
Field research and the various methodology employed have their pros and cons.
Let’s take a look at some of them.
- Provide context to the data being analyzed in terms of settings, interactions, or individuals.
- The source of data does not require or involve verbal interactions, and there is no intrusion of anyone’s personal, space because everything is done quietly, from a distance.
- The researcher develops a deep and detailed understanding of a setting and the members within the setting.
- It is carried out in a real-world and natural environment which eliminates tampering with variables.
- The study is conducted in a comfortable environment, hence data can be gathered even about an ancillary topic, that would have been undiscovered in other circumstances.
- The researcher’s deep understanding of the research subjects due to their proximity to them makes the research thorough and precise.
- It helps the researcher to be flexible and respond to individual differences while capturing emerging information. Allows the researcher to be responsive to individual differences and to capture emerging information.
Disadvantages of Field Research
- The researcher might not be able to capture all that is being said and there is the risk of losing information.
- The quality of the information derived is dependent, on the researcher’s skills.
- Significant interactions and events may occur when an observer is not present.
- Some topics cannot easily be interpreted by mere observation.g., attitudes, emotions, affection).
- The reliability of observations can be complex due to the presence of multiple observers with different interpretations.
- It requires a lot of time (and resources)and can take years to complete.
- The researcher may lose objectivity as they spend more time among the members of the group.
- It is a subjective and interpretive method that is solely dependent on the researcher’s ability.
Field research helps researchers to gain firsthand experience and knowledge about the events, processes, and people, being studied. No other method provides this kind of close-up view of the everyday life of people and events. It is a very detailed method of research and is excellent for understanding the role of social context in shaping the lives, perspectives, and experiences of people. Alongside this, it may uncover aspects of a person that might never have been discovered.
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Sometimes, a laboratory setting isn't the best option for investigating a phenomenon when conducting research. Whilst lab experiments offer a lot of control, they are artificial and do not truly represent the real world, which causes issues with ecological validity. This is where field experiments come in.
Despite its name, field experiments, whilst they can be conducted in a field, are not restricted to a literal field.
Both laboratory and field experiments manipulate a variable to see if it can be controlled and affect the dependent variable. Also, both are valid forms of experimentation.
- We will start by learning the field experiment definition and identify how field experiments are used in research.
- Moving on from this, we will explore a field experiment example carried out by Hofling in 1966.
- Finally, we will discuss the field experiment's advantages and disadvantages.
Field Experiment Definition
A field experiment is a research method where the independent variable is manipulated, and the dependent variable is measured in a real-world setting.
If you had to research travel, a field experiment could be performed on a train. Also, you could analyse a car or bike ride out in the streets. Similarly, someone might conduct an experiment in a school investigating different phenomena present in classrooms or school playgrounds.
Field Experiment: Psychology
Field experiments are usually designed and used in psychology when researchers want to observe participants in their natural environment, but the phenomenon is not naturally occurring. Therefore, the researcher must manipulate the investigated variables to measure the outcome, e.g. how students behaviour when a teacher or a substitute teacher is present.
The procedure of field experiments in psychology is the following:
- Identify a research question, variables, and hypotheses.
- Recruit participants.
- Carry out the investigation.
- Analyse data and report results.
Field Experiment: Example
Hofling (1966) conducted a field experiment to investigate obedience in nurses. The study recruited 22 nurses working in a psychiatric hospital on a night shift, although they were unaware they were taking part in the study.
D uring their shift, a doctor, who was actually the researcher, called the nurses and asked them to urgently administer 20mg of a drug to a patient (double the maximum dosage). The doctor/researcher told the nurses that he would authorise medication administration later.
The research aimed to identify if people broke the rules and obeyed authoritative figures' orders.
The results showed that 95% of the nurses obeyed the order, despite breaking the rules. Only one questioned the doctor.
The Hofling study is an example of a field experiment. It was carried out in a natural setting, and the researcher manipulated the situation (instructed nurses to administer high-dosage medication) to see if it affected whether nurses obeyed the authoritative figure or not.
Field Experiment: Advantages and Disadvantages
Like any type of research, field experiments have certain advantages and disadvantages that must be considered before opting for this research method.
Field Experiments: Advantages
Some of the advantages of field experiments include the following:
- The results are more likely to reflect real-life compared to laboratory research, as they have higher ecological validity.
Hawthorne effect is when people adjust their behaviour because they know they are being observed.
- It is high in mundane realism compared to lab research; this refers to the extent to which the setting and materials used in a study reflect real-life situations. Field experiments have high mundane realism. Thus, they have high external validity.
A field experiment would be an appropriate research design when investigating children's behaviour changes at school. More specifically, to compare their behaviours around their usual and substitute teachers.
- It can establish c ausal relationships because researchers manipulate a variable and measure its effect. However, extraneous variables can make this difficult. We will address these issues in the next paragraph.
Field Experiments: Disadvantages
The disadvantages of field experiments are the following:
- Researchers have less control over extraneous/confounding variables , reducing confidence in establishing causal relationships .
It is difficult to replicate the research, making it hard to determine the results' reliability.
- This experimental method has a high chance of collecting a biased sample, making it difficult to generalise the results.
- It may not be easy to record data accurately with so many variables present. Overall, field experiments have less control.
- Potential ethical issues of field experiments include: difficulty getting informed consent, and the researcher may need to deceive participants.
Field Experiment - Key Takeaways
- The field experiment definition is a research method where the independent variable is manipulated, and the dependent variable is measured in a real-world setting.
- Field experiments are usually used in psychology when researchers want to observe participants in their natural environment. The phenomenon is not naturally occurring, so the researcher must manipulate the variables to measure the outcome.
Hofling (1966) used a field experiment to investigate if nurses wrongfully obeyed authoritative figures in their workplace.
- Field experiments have high ecological validity, establish causal relationships, and reduce the chances of demand characteristics interfering with research.
- However, they offer less control, and confounding variables may be an issue. From the ethical perspective, participants cannot always consent to participate and may need to be deceived to be observed. Replicating field experiments is also difficult.
Frequently Asked Questions about Field Experiment
--> what is a field experiment .
A field experiment is a research method where the independent variable is manipulated, and the dependent variable is measured in a real-world setting.
--> What is the difference between natural and field experiments?
In field experiments, researchers manipulate the independent variable. On the other hand, in natural experiments, the researcher does not manipulate anything in the investigation.
--> What is an example of a field experiment?
Hofling (1966) utilised a field experiment to identify if nurses would break the rules and obey an authoritative figure.
--> What is one drawback of field experiments?
A disadvantage of a field experiment is that researchers cannot control the extraneous variables, and this may reduce the validity of the findings.
--> How to conduct a field experiment?
The steps for conducting a field experiment are:
- identify a research question, variables, and hypotheses
- recruit participants
- carry out the experiment
- analyse the data and report the results
Final Field Experiment Quiz
What is a field experiment?
Show answer
A field experiment is a research method where the independent variable is manipulated, and the dependent variable is measured in a real-world setting.
Show question
Which of the following statement is correct?
The researcher manipulates the variables in a controlled setting.
What type of validity is mundane realism related to?
External validity.
Why are field experiments considered to have low reliability?
It is difficult to replicate field studies and therefore other researchers can't exactly replicate the study to identify if they find similar results.
What is the Hawthorne effect?
Hawthorne effect is when people adjust their behaviour because they know that they are being observed.
What is the procedure for field experiments?
The procedure of field experiments are:
- identify a research question, variables, and hypotheses
- carry out the experiment
- analyse the data and report the results
Why do researchers use field experiments?
Researchers use field experiments when they want to measure phenomena in real-life settings.
What are the advantages of field experiments?
The advantages of field experiments are:
- high ecological validity
- less likelihood of the Hawthorne effect affecting the validity of the results
- high mundane realism
- a good experiment design to use when attempting to collect data from a large sample
What are the disadvantages of field experiments?
The disadvantages of field experiments are:
- researchers cannot control extraneous variables
- it is difficult to establish the reliability of research
- sample bias may influence results
- difficulties recording data
- potential ethical issues
What are the potential ethical issues that may happen when doing a field experiment?
Deception of participants.
What did Hofling (1966) investigate using a field experiment?
When may a researcher use a field experiment?
Field experiments are usually designed and used in psychology when researchers want to observe participants in their natural environment, but the phenomenon is not naturally occurring.
True or false: In field experiments, variables are manipulated.
Can variables be manipulated in real-life settings?
A study aimed to explore how early parental interactions influenced later attachment styles. Would it be appropriate to use a field experiment?
A study aimed to explore how children responded to authoritative figures versus non-authoritative ones at school. Could a field experiment be used?
A field experiment is considered to be generalisable to real-life settings because it has high .
mundane realism
Can a field experiment be used to compare children's behaviour around their usual and substitute teachers?
An advantage of lab experiments is that they can establish causal relationships. Can the same be said about field experiments?
Yes, but not to the full extent of lab experiments.
Is it easy to determine the reliability of field experiments?
True or false: A potentially biased sample is an issue for natural experiments.
As the researcher has less control it may be difficult for the researcher to record data.
accurately
What are some potential ethical issues that may be raised in field experiments?
Potential ethical issues of field experiments include: difficulty getting informed consent, and the researcher may need to deceive participants.
experiments and experiments both require researchers to manipulate variables.
Researchers have a higher level of control in experiments compared to experiments.
Field experiments are carried out in.....
real-life settings.
- Forensic Psychology
- Careers in Psychology
of the users don't pass the Field Experiment quiz! Will you pass the quiz?
More explanations about Research Methods in Psychology
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- History of the Profession
- Professional Organizations
- Professional Development
- Managing UX
- Editorial Board
- History of the Usability BoK
- Design Approach
A field study is a general method for collecting data about users, user needs, and product requirements that involves observation and interviewing. Data are collected about task flows, inefficiencies, and the organizational and physical environments of users.
Investigators in field studies observe users as they work, taking notes on particular activities and often asking questions of the users. Observation may be either direct, where the investigator is actually present during the task, or indirect, where the task is viewed by some other means like a video recorder set up in an office. The method is useful early in product development to gather user requirements. It is also useful for studying currently executed tasks and processes.
Related Links
Detailed description.
Chapter 13 in this book covers field studies.
A good overview of the role of field studies in usability, with references to related literature.
Describes the "how to" for field studies, focusing on observing people rather than interviewing them.
Appropriate Uses
Allows the observer to view what users actually do in context. Direct observation allows the investigator to focus attention on specific areas of interest. Indirect observation captures activity that would otherwise have gone unrecorded or unnoticed.
It should be noted that observation can be obtrusive and subjects may alter their behaviour due to the presence of an observer. Co-operation of users is vital, so the interpersonal skills of the observer are important. Notes and videotapes need to be analysed by the note-taker, which can be time consuming and prevents the task being split up for analysis by a number of people.
- Establish objectives and information requirements. Should the coverage be in breadth or in depth? It is extremely important to decide what will happen to the end-product of this process, and to tailor the whole process to the requirements of those who will receive the results.
- Gain co-operation of contacts with the observation technique that you intend to carry out. Establish the times, places, and people who will be observed. Note that in some countries the law may prohibit you from taking video films of people without their explicit written consent.
- Decide on the recording technique you will use. Will you rely on hand-written notes (traditional), audio, or video and audio records? Note that the more complete your record, the longer it takes to analyse. It is useful to be able to make some kind of first-cut analysis during observation.
Make sure that those being observed are aware of the reason for your study and that they do not see you in negative terms. This is particularly important for mentally impaired and blind users who may be disturbed by a passive presence that they are not sure about.
- Run a pilot observation session to get a feel for what to expect and to test out any observation sheets. This will also help to judge how long the observation session needs to be. If the session involves informal activities with the general public, they may wish to converse with the observer. Make sure that there is enough time for this.
- Try to be as unobtrusive as possible. Do not let yourself or your equipment get in the way.
- Note down any events that you do not understand and try to clarify them with the user as soon as the session is completed.
- Try to be aware of the range of influences that are affecting the user.
- If possible photograph the users work area or the area of operation as this will act as a reminder of the environmental context.
- After your observations, write down your first impressions before the analysis stage later on.
Alternative Methods
Other methods of collecting information from users include interviews, survey questionnaires, or user participation in context of use analysis , focus groups or brainstorming .
Data Analysis and Reporting
Analyse, summarise, and report in relation to the objectives set out at the start.
When the observational data has been collected and the report has been written, ensure that the report makes its way to those people who will be most affected by it, and that it has been read. Follow up the initial report distribution within a week or so to ask if there are any questions or if any explanation is needed.
Field studies can be used as methods for generating information for running a focus group or setting up a survey questionnaire that will be distributed to many people. However, they may sometimes be used as a direct input to design, so that the next activity to be carried out is either a card sort , affinity diagramming , requirements meeting or a paper prototype session.
Nigel Bevan, Tomer Sharon. Based on UsabilityNet description by Nigel Claridge.
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Child Care and Early Education Research Connections
Field research.
Field research is a qualitative method of research concerned with understanding and interpreting the social interactions of groups of people, communities, and society by observing and interacting with people in their natural settings. The methods of field research include: direct observation, participant observation, and qualitative interviews. Each of these methods is described here. Terms related to these and other topics in field research are defined in the Research Glossary .
Direct Observation
Participant observation, qualitative interviews.
Direct observation is a method of research where the researcher watches and records the activities of individuals or groups engaged in their daily activities. The observations may be unstructured or structured. Unstructured observations involve the researcher observing people and events and recording his/her observations as field notes. Observations are recorded holistically and without the aid of a predetermined guide or protocol. Structured observation, on the other hand, is a technique where a researcher observes people and events using a guide or set protocol that has been developed ahead of time.
Other features of direct observation include:
- The observer does not actively engage the subjects of the study in conversations or interviews, but instead strives to be unobtrusive and detached from the setting.
- Data collected through direct observation may include field notes, checklists and rating scales, documents, and photographs or video images.
- Direct observation is not necessarily an alternative to other types of field methods, such as participant observation or qualitative interviews. Rather, it may be an initial approach to understanding a setting, a group of individuals, or forms of behavior prior to interacting with members or developing interview protocols.
- Direct observation as a research method is most appropriate in open, public settings where anyone has a right to be or congregate. Conducting direct observation in private or closed settings -- without the knowledge or consent of members -- is more likely to raise ethical concerns.
Participant observation is a field research method whereby the researcher develops an understanding of a group or setting by taking part in the everyday routines and rituals alongside its members. It was originally developed in the early 20th century by anthropologists researching native societies in developing countries. It is now the principal research method used by ethnographers -- specialists within the fields of anthropology and sociology who focus on recording the details of social life occurring in a setting, community, group, or society. The ethnographer, who often lives among the members for months or years, attempts to build trusting relationships so that he or she becomes part of the social setting. As the ethnographer gains the confidence and trust of the members, many will speak and behave in a natural manner in the presence of the ethnographer.
Data from participant observation studies can take several forms:
- Field notes are the primary type of data. The researcher takes notes of his/her observations and experiences and later develops them into detailed, formal field notes.
- Frequently, researchers keep a diary, which is often a more intimate, informal record of the happenings within the setting.
- The practice of participant observation, with its emphasis on developing relationships with members, often leads to both informal, conversational interviews and more formal, in-depth interviews. The data from these interviews can become part of field notes or may consist of separate interview transcripts.
There are a number of advantages and disadvantages to direct and participant observation studies. Here is a list of some of both. While the advantages and disadvantages apply to both types of studies, their impact and importance may not be the same across the two. For example, researchers engaged in both types of observation will develop a rich, deep understanding of the members of the group and the setting in which social interactions occur, but researchers engaged in participant observation research may gain an even deep understanding. And, participant observers have a greater chance of witnessing a wider range of behaviors and events than those engaged in direct observation.
Advantages of observation studies (observational research):
- Provide contextual data on settings, interactions, or individuals.
- A useful tool for generating hypotheses for further study.
- Source of data on events and phenomena that do not involve verbal interactions (e.g., mother-child nonverbal interactions and contact, physical settings where interactions occur).
- The researcher develops a rich, deep understanding of a setting and of the members within the setting.
Disadvantages of observation studies:
- Behaviors observed during direct observation may be unusual or atypical.
- Significant interactions and events may take place when observer is not present.
- Certain topics do not necessarily lend themselves to observation (e.g., attitudes, emotions, affection).
- Reliability of observations can be problematic, especially when multiple observers are involved.
- The researcher must devote a large amount of time (and resources).
- The researcher's objectivity may decline as he or she spends more time among the members of the group.
- The researcher may be faced with a dilemma of choosing between revealing and not revealing his or her identity as a researcher to the members of the group. If he or she introduces him/herself as a researcher, the members may behave differently than if they assume that he or she is just another participant. On the other hand, if the researcher does not, they may feel betrayed upon learning about the research.
Qualitative interviews are a type of field research method that elicits information and data by directly asking questions of individuals. There are three primary types of qualitative interviews: informal (conversational), semi-structured, and standardized, open-ended. Each is described briefly below along with advantages and disadvantages.
Informal (Conversational) Interviews
- Frequently occur during participant observation or following direct observation.
- The researcher begins by conversing with a member of the group of interest. As the conversation unfolds, the researcher formulates specific questions, often spontaneously, and begins asking them informally.
- Appropriate when the researcher wants maximum flexibility to pursue topics and ideas as they emerge during the exchange
Advantages of informal interviewing:
- Allows the researcher to be responsive to individual differences and to capture emerging information.
- Information that is obtained is not constrained by a predetermined set of questions and/or response categories.
- Permits researcher to delve deeper into a topic and what key terms and constructs mean to study participants.
Disadvantages of informal interviewing:
- May generate less systematic data, which is difficult to classify and analyze.
- The researcher might not be able to capture everything that the interviewee is saying and therefore there is potential for important nuance or information to be lost. For example, the researcher might not have a tape recorder at that moment due to the spontaneous nature of these interviews.
- Quality of the information obtained depends on skills of the interviewer.
Semi-Structured Interviews
- Prior to the interview, a list of predetermined questions or probes, also known as an interview guide, is developed so that each interviewee will respond to a similar series of questions and topics.
- Questions are generally open-ended to elicit as much detail and meaning from the interviewee as possible.
- The researcher is free to pursue and probe other topics as they emerge during the interview.
Advantages of semi-structured interviewing:
- Systematically captures data across interviewees.
- The researcher is able to rephrase or explain questions to the interviewee to ensure that everyone understands the questions the same way and probe (follow-up) a response so that an individual's responses are fully explored.
- Interviewee is allowed the freedom to express his or her views in their own words.
Disadvantages of semi-structured interviewing:
- Does not offer as much flexibility to respond to new topics that unfold during the interview as the informal interview.
- Responses to questions that have been asked in slightly different ways can be more difficult to compare and analyze.
- Interviewer may unconsciously send signals about the types of answers that are expected.
Standardized, Open-Ended Interviews
- Similar to a survey since questions are carefully scripted and written prior to the interview, which serves to minimize variability in question wording and the way questions are asked.
- The researcher asks a uniform series of questions in the same order to each interviewee.
- The questions are open-ended to capture more details and individual differences across interviewees.
- Particularly appropriate for qualitative studies involving multiple interviewers.
Advantages of standardized interviewing:
- All questions are asked the same to each study participant. Data are comparable across interviewees.
- Reduces interviewer effects when several interviewers are used.
- Standardization helps to facilitate the processing and analysis of the data.
Disadvantages of standardized interviewing:
- Does not offer as much flexibility to respond to and probe new topics that unfold during the interview.
- Standardized wording of questions may limit the responses of those being interviewed.
Both standardized and semi-structured interviews involve formally recruiting participants and are typically tape-recorded. The researcher should begin with obtaining informed consent from the interviewee prior to starting the interview. Additionally, the researcher may write a separate field note to describe the interviewee's reactions to the interview, or events that occurred before or after the interview.
See the following for additional information about field research and qualitative research methods.
- Ethnography, Observational Research and Narrative Inquiry (PDF)
- An Introduction to Qualitative Research (PDF)
The content on this page was prepared by Jerry West. It was last updated March 2019.
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Field Studies Field studies involve collecting data outside of an experimental or lab setting. This type of data collection is most often done in natural settings or environments and can be...
A field study is a method for conducting research. Also known as fieldwork and field research, field studies collect data in a natural, non-laboratory environment. Why is field...
Field research is defined as a qualitative method of data collection that aims to observe, interact and understand people while they are in a natural environment. For example, nature conservationists observe behavior of animals in their natural surroundings and the way they react to certain scenarios.
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Field Research is a method of collecting qualitative data with the aim to understand, observe, and interact with people in their natural setting. It requires specialized market research tools.
Field research, field studies, or fieldwork is the collection of raw data outside a laboratory, library, or workplace setting. The approaches and methods used in field research vary across disciplines.
Field Research - Key takeaways. Field research can be defined as a qualitative method in which researchers observes how people live their real lives in their natural environments. Fieldwork tends to take a qualitative form because researchers are usually interested in collecting rich and detailed primary data.
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A field study is a general method for collecting data about users, user needs, and product requirements that involves observation and interviewing. Data are collected about task flows, inefficiencies, and the organizational and physical environments of users.
Definition: Field studies are research activities that take place in the user's context rather than in your office or lab. The range of possible field-study methods and activities is very wide. Field studies also vary a lot in terms of how the researcher interacts (or doesn't) with participants.
field study n (Biology) ( often plural) a research project carried out in the field. See field 11 Collins English Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014 Want to thank TFD for its existence?
Field research is a qualitative method of research concerned with understanding and interpreting the social interactions of groups of people, communities, and society by observing and interacting with people in their natural settings. The methods of field research include: direct observation, participant observation, and qualitative interviews.
t. e. An academic discipline or field of study is known as a branch of knowledge. It is taught as an accredited part of higher education. A scholar's discipline is commonly defined and recognized by a university faculty. That person will be accredited by learned societies to which they belong along with the academic journals in which they publish.