Scholars that sit behind their desks and handle all their research from a computer screen are few and far between today. Most of us have to head out to conduct field research at some point, whether we enjoy this part of our career or not.

Field research is a necessary part of data collection. Researchers engage in this active role when they need to understand and observe, as well as interact, with people while they’re in their natural environment. However, this component of research requires careful observation, analysis, collection, and specialized tools to perform the tasks involved.

When field research is done thoroughly and correctly, the researcher can more easily understand the behavior of their subject and how variables affect that behavior. This role is integral in healthcare and social sciences, but to ensure it’s done without interference from outside sources, such as the researcher and their team, there are some dos and don’ts to abide by.

Dos in Your Research Steps

Does your organization or funding source have a specific framework you’re required to follow when you conduct field research? If so, use that checklist to ensure you’re following all of the rules they require since they’re funding the work (and your paycheck). On top of those vital guidelines, keep these “dos” in mind while you’re getting ready to get in the field, and when you’re immersed in your work:

●      Find a team of expert researchers who can aid you in the field you’re studying. You’ll need multiple specialists, so look for a diverse group with different minds that each bring something new to the team.

●      Decide ahead which method of field research you plan to engage in. Will your team be participating in ethnography, qualitative interviews, direct observation, or participant observation? If you’re solely responsible for making this decision, let the team know before they agree to work with you on your project. Otherwise, brainstorm the pros and cons of each method together to come up with a team choice.

●      Before you begin the study, take some time to visit the place where the main subjects will be during your research. Get an overview of what everything looks like, what obstacles or challenges you may face, and what you may need to bring with you.

●      Once you’ve compiled your research, analyze the data while watching for potential biases in the subject information gathered. 

Don’ts For Field Research

The dos sound simple, and they can be, as long as you avoid making some very common mistakes in the process. To prevent that, check over these field research don’ts before your next project begins:

●      Don’t try to keep everything a secret while you’re choosing your team. Yes, you want to hold the important aspects close to you until the team is official, but they need to know some integral factors to help them decide whether to join you or not.

●      Don’t use lab settings when natural settings will give you better, more accurate results and are not inaccessible.

●      Don’t attempt to manipulate variables to get the results you’re hoping for. Your job is to observe and analyze the subjects, then describe what you see.

●      Don’t skip the ethical aspects of the study. Field research is often done without participants knowing they're being studied, but if there is an opportunity to inform them ethically without skewing the results, take it.

●      Don’t summarize the details to minimize the results. If there are many details that should be included, be sure to cover all of them. Leaving one tiny detail out could make the experiment unrepeatable, and therefore invalid.

Collect Your Team By Heading to Impactio

Not sure who you want to bring into your next research project? Impactio can help.

America’s leading platform for scholars, Impactio offers members academic impact analytics tools and opportunities to network with others in the field of science. Scientists and PhDs receive the tools they need to profile academic CVs, network with potential funders or research team members, and automate research impact analysis results.

The right team is vital to the design of your field research project. You can find experts in the field of study by waiting and hoping they fall in your lap, or you can actively seek them out by joining Impactio. There, you can scan the portfolios of others, network with those looking for their next project, and find interested funders who could become stakeholders in your research. Whatever you need, Impactio has the tools to be the connector between you and your future field research team members.