Field Test

In the context of a survey, a field test, sometimes called a pre-test, is the final step in questionnaire design, as well as a dry run for field operations for the survey. Usually a field test yields data that can be explored for unexpected patterns and issues that may not have been discovered during earlier testing of the survey instrument. In addition, interviewers have the opportunity to correct misunderstandings about the survey procedures during the field test.

The size of the sample for the field test, and the number of days spent on the field test, will depend on issues such as funding, staff availability, and whether problems with the survey procedures or the questionnaire are found. The field test may occur in several stages or as one step. It may be days, or even years, before the actual fieldwork begins, depending on the size of the survey and the extent of the questionnaire-design effort.

The data from the field test are usually not included in the final data for the survey.