One moment in time utah9/10/2023 Use descriptive words to document what you observe. Notes that are disorganized will make it more difficult for you to interpret the data. It is therefore important that you plan ahead how you will document your observation study. Taking accurate notes while you are actively observing can be difficult. This will help you develop your own style of transcribing observations quickly and accurately. You only get one chance to observe a particular moment in time, so before you conduct your observations, practice taking notes in a setting that is similar to your observation site in regards to number of people, the environment, and social dynamics. The SAGE Dictionary of Qualitative Inquiry. You will refine, expand, and combine your jottings into your full field notes, which will more likely be stored on your computer. For example, you could turn on your voice recorder or your phone recording app and discuss your observations while you commute to your next destination. Another possibility is to talk out your observations immediately after your fieldwork. You may record your initial notes in a notebook. According to Schwandt, “unless additional detail is added as soon as possible after the observation, important facts and opportunities for fully interpreting the data may be lost.” You can write your initial notes in cryptic form, shorthand, and quick notes that can be later expanded and formalized. According to Thomas Schwandt, reflective information includes recording of “your thoughts, ideas, questions, and concerns as you are conducting the observation.”Ĭomplete the field notes as soon as possible after you complete a fieldwork activity. This includes an introspective commentary of what you observe and experience - and what all this means to you. Explain what you observed and ruminate on why your observations are relevant and important. Theorize and suggest explanations for what you see. As you write your field notes, in a different section distinct from the descriptive narratives, write your interpretations of what you encounter in the field. They allow you to examine value-laden and subjective aspects of field work. Second, field notes serve as interpretations. According to Thomas Schwandt, descriptive information is your “attempt to accurately document factual data and the settings, actions, behaviors, and conversations that you observe.” They also supplement your research data because field notes help you keep track of observations during interviews and place documentations. Field notes keep track of observations that you generally tend to forget over time. Field notes serve the following functions:įirst, they work as descriptions: you write them as notes and details of time, date, activities, settings, observations, behavior and conversations in the field. You should begin your field notes as soon as you start your field work, not when you begin collecting your oral histories! This means when you begin to meet with people to discuss the possibility of interviews or visit a community, you should start writing field notes about your experiences and observations. Your field notes are where you record observations and activities that you encounter or participate in during fieldwork.
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