A field survey, or study, is an investigation, generally a descriptive study, done "in the field," usually with participants drawn from the general population of a community. The term applies to several varieties of epidemiological study, such as case-finding and contact-tracing in epidemics, or to household and community surveys, where the goal is to ascertain details about aspects of health status. Field studies may be small-scale, modest affairs, or large, comprehensive, communitywide studies in which large numbers of participants are engaged.
(SEE ALSO: Community Health; Descriptive Study; Survey Research Methods; Surveys)
— JOHN M. LAST
