Behavioral Scienc
Field research is a social research method that involves the direct observation of social phenomena in their natural settings. Field researchers often engage in in-depth interviews with the subjects. Appropriate topics for field research include practices, episodes, encounters, roles, relationships, groups, organizations, settlements, social worlds, lifestyles, and subcultures. Field research is especially effective for studying the subtle nuances of attitudes and behaviors and for examining social processes over time. It is not superficial, but rather in depth. Field research is also flexible (one is always prepared to engage in field research as opposed to initiating a survey) and inexpensive.