title: [Field research in the social sciences].
abstract: The different types of field research in social sciences are arranged according to two theoretically independent dimensions: the experimental design (experimental, quasi-experimental, pre-experimental) and the "field" of research, which consists of a treatment (independent variable) and a behavior (dependent variable) part. Each part can be natural: natural treatment means that naturally occuring treatments means that no instructions (implicite or explicite) are given to the subjects. Both parts can be used in natural or artificial settings, and both of them can occur with or without the subject knowing the fact that a research is done or which are the hypotheses. Therefore, as an example, a study can consist of an artificial treatment in natural setting without the subjects knowing it, while the measured behavior is instructed (e. g. responding a questionnaire) in an artificial setting and the subjects well know that their behavior is measured, but they ignore the objective of the study. Some problems are discussed. Final conclusion is that both laboratory and field studies should be done, one completing the other, and both have their advantages and difficulties.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D011613:Psychotherapy; D012106:Research; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric
vernacular_title: Feldforschung in den Sozialwissenschaften.