現場方法側重于對收集、分析和呈現有關人類思想和行為的數據的新方法以及現有方法的新用途的經驗測試。數據可以是定性的或定量的，分析和表示方法也可以，但是FM的文章應該提出一種方法，而不是簡單地報告一種方法的應用。

FIELD METHODS focuses on empirical tests of new methods for collecting, analyzing, and presenting data on human thought and human behavior and on new uses for existing methods. The data can be qualitative or quantitative, as can the methods for analysis and presentation, but articles for FM should advance a method rather than simply report on the application of a method.