Field evaluation of human performance is rapidly assuming a role of major importance in system measurement. However, the special conditions under which such ecological tests must be performed impose certain limitations upon the evaluator which must be recognized. These limitations involve restrictions on the opportunity to manipulate variables, which lead to greater use of subjectively-oriented data collection tools: e.g. the human observer, the interview and checklists. Factors to be considered in the planning of a field test are discussed.
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