现场方法侧重于对收集、分析和呈现有关人类思想和行为的数据的新方法以及现有方法的新用途的经验测试。数据可以是定性的或定量的，分析和表示方法也可以，但是FM的文章应该提出一种方法，而不是简单地报告一种方法的应用。
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.