feltorientert

Feltorientert is a Norwegian term used to describe an approach that is oriented toward fieldwork and real-world contexts. It emphasizes direct engagement with environments, people, and situations outside controlled settings, prioritizing practical relevance over purely theoretical analysis.

Etymology: the word combines felt, meaning field, with orientert, meaning oriented. In Norwegian usage, feltorientert describes attitudes, methods, or organizational practices that seek to ground concepts in the actual field.

In research and practice, feltorientert methods entail data collection in natural settings, such as ethnography, participant observation, and on-site interviews. In management and education, a feltorientert stance favors on-site problem solving, frontline feedback, and context-aware decision making. The concept is used across disciplines to signal a preference for empirical grounding and practical applicability.

Advantages include higher ecological validity and relevance to stakeholders, as well as greater adaptability to local conditions. Limitations include logistical complexity, longer timeframes, potential observer bias, and challenges in generalizing findings across contexts. Critics may argue that field-focused work can sacrifice theoretical rigor or comparability, though proponents contend that it enhances relevance and impact.

See also:

- Ethnography

- Fieldwork

- Practice-based research

- Field research