What is Field Study

Structured learning outside the classroom. Includes such experiences as internships, service-learning projects, field trips and excursions, nature observation and research, small-team field assignments, and individual research projects.

The evaluation of a mobile application that takes place in the actual context of use. The advantage of such evaluations is that problems that only arise in the particular context will be detected. The disadvantages of such evaluations include difficulties in controlling the environment and capturing evaluation data.

Field study is a method of research that involves collecting data outside of a laboratory or experimental setting. 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 users' organizational and physical environments. Investigators in field studies observe users as they work, taking notes on particular activities and often asking user’s questions. Observation may be direct, where the investigator is 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 applicable early in product development to gather user requirements. It is also helpful for studying currently executed tasks and processes.