What does a field researcher do?
A field researcher is tasked to directly observe people while living in specific areas. They document and record their observations in order to assist with research. They visit a wide range of localities to study subjects and analyze what causes certain behaviors. They check for completeness of the data acquired and for its accuracy. They also create surveys where chosen respondents answers, and this aids in the more precise outcome of the research.
Field researcher responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real field researcher resumes:
- Create Linux shell scripts to automate common process which severely reduce manual work load and processing time for the entire lab.
- Perform data entry in compliance with FDA guidelines.
- Utilize GPS technology in the field to conduct remote field surveys.
- Collect field, literary and GIS data, perform analysis and prepare a report of findings.
- Complete a separate project report and GIS analysis of the data collect during the field season.
- Conduct intensive study of Hawaiian reef ecology; create identification key of all fish, coral and invertebrate species.
- Cultivate productive relationships with high-profile stakeholders, medical executives, review boards, and federal officials, including the FDA.
- Automate clonal sequencing analysis QC pipeline and mutation reporting.
- Adhere to strict turn-a-round deadlines and maintain confidential information by following proper ISO procedures.
- Study tropical marine ecology, coastal pathology, specifically coral pathogens, and taxonomy of local organisms.
- Conduct chemical and physical laboratory tests to assist in making qualitative or quantitative analyses of solid and liquid materials after synthesis.
- Support results using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and literature derive predictive models.
Field researcher skills and personality traits
We calculated that 32% of Field Researchers are proficient in Research Data, GPS, and Data Entry. They’re also known for soft skills such as Problem-solving skills, Analytical skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Field Researchers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Research Data, 32%
Recorded research data to effectively present and preserve.
- GPS, 30%
Trained in GPS, SAS, Excel, Access, Word, Power Point, and data entry software.
- Data Entry, 7%
Executed necessary data entry functions and ensued compliance to project objectives, ensured all confidential data was encrypted appropriately.
- Public Health, 6%
Researched and wrote reports of ethnographic data for a public health study which investigated noncompliance with workplace tobacco control regulations.
- Data Collection, 6%
Managed all data collection and analysis; maintained assessment and evaluation tracking tools.
- In-Person Interviews, 4%
Coordinate schedules and budget with subgrantees to facilitate surveys and in-person interviews.
"research data," "gps," and "data entry" are among the most common skills that field researchers use at work. You can find even more field researcher responsibilities below, including:
Problem-solving skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a field researcher to have is problem-solving skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "survey researchers need problem-solving skills when identifying survey design issues, adjusting survey questions, and interpreting survey results." Field researchers often use problem-solving skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "mentored staff, led scheduling, resolved employee personnel issues and maintained the highest standards of customer service. "
Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling field researcher duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "survey researchers must be able to apply statistical techniques to large amounts of data and interpret the results correctly." According to a field researcher resume, here's how field researchers can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "collected field, literary and gis data, performed analysis and prepared a report of findings. "
Detail oriented. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of field researchers is detail oriented. This skill is critical to many everyday field researcher duties, as "survey researchers must pay attention to details, because survey results depend on collecting, analyzing, and reporting the data accurately." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "collect quantitative and qualitative market research data work remotely on deadline-oriented projects"
Communication skills. For certain field researcher responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "communication skills." The day-to-day duties of a field researcher rely on this skill, as "survey researchers need strong communication skills when conducting surveys and interpreting and presenting results to clients." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what field researchers do: "used communication and writing skills to present research projects at student research symposiums. "
The three companies that hire the most field researchers are:
- Randstad North America, Inc.1 field researchers jobs
- Morning Star1 field researchers jobs
- Hanley1 field researchers jobs
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Compare different field researchers
Field researcher vs. Survey operations director
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between field researchers and survey operations director. For instance, field researcher responsibilities require skills such as "research data," "gps," "data entry," and "public health." Whereas a survey operations director is skilled in "survey operations," "qc," "data acquisition," and "qa." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that survey operations directors earn slightly differ from field researchers. In particular, survey operations directors are 3.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a field researcher. Additionally, they're 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field researcher vs. Survey analyst
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that field researcher responsibilities requires skills like "research data," "data entry," "public health," and "data collection." But a survey analyst might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "analyze data," "survey design," "survey instruments," and "stata."
On average, survey analysts earn a higher salary than field researchers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, survey analysts earn the most pay in the government industry with an average salary of $77,567. Whereas field researchers have higher pay in the education industry, with an average salary of $35,976.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Survey analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than field researchers. In fact, they're 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field researcher vs. Survey questionnaire designer
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, field researchers are more likely to have skills like "research data," "data entry," "public health," and "data collection." But a survey questionnaire designer is more likely to have skills like "civil 3d," "legal descriptions," "lot surveys," and "auto cad."
Most survey questionnaire designers achieve a similar degree level compared to field researchers. For example, they're 1.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Field researcher vs. Pollster
Types of field researcher
Updated January 8, 2025
