Which statement describes a disadvantage of collecting data directly in the field?

• A. It can be time consuming.
• B. It is always inexpensive.
• C. It requires no travel.
• D. It never biases results.

Answer: (A)

When you collect data directly in the field, a real drawback is that the process can take a lot of time. You have to plan visits, travel between sites, set up equipment, take measurements carefully, and often record and organize data after leaving each site. Weather, access issues, and the need to gather a representative set of observations can extend the data-collection period, making fieldwork slow and busy. So, time consumption is the key disadvantage.

The other statements aren’t accurate: fieldwork isn’t always inexpensive because travel, equipment, and personnel costs add up; it does require travel to reach locations; and results can be biased if sampling isn’t representative or if observers influence measurements.