Ten Simple Rules for Implementing a Successful Field Season

Science frequently requires the collection of data in a field setting that is markedly different from the stereotypical laboratory often associated with scientists.For example, archeologists may collect data from field excavations to address questions about the foundations and development of civilization, and epidemiologists often conduct research under field conditions to learn about disease pathology in response to outbreaks.Successful field data collection requires considerable planning and organization to navigate challenges that stem from conducting research in such uncontrolled settings.Inadequate preparation can limit data quantity and quality, and may even create safety risks.Thus, a concerted effort that starts well before data collection begins and extends throughout the field season is critical to project success.The skills required to implement successful field work often develop with time and experience.However, we note the need for a guiding framework to accelerate and facilitate this process among new researchers, including graduate students who may be inexperienced or are constrained by time.Here, we draw upon our collective experience conducting field research in the natural sciences-covering >200 cumulative field seasons undertaken in 12 countries and 29 US states-to develop rules that we have found to be essential for implementing a successful field season.Our goal is to provide researchers in the natural sciences who have limited field experience with a suite of considerations that we have found to be useful when planning a field season.Of note, many of our rules are germane to field data collection efforts in other disciplines, especially those conducted by a team in the field.Indeed, those of us who supervise graduate students often share these rules with students who are planning their first field season.In assembling these rules, we have made several assumptions about our intended audience, whom we refer to as "lead researchers": (1) they can draw upon their prior field experience from a previous position(s) (e.g., as a field technician); (2) they have already identified research questions and selected locations for undertaking fieldwork; (3) their study design and data collection methods are feasible and scientifically sound; and (4) their research is being undertaken