Field Report

The purpose of a field report in the social sciences is to describe the observation of people, places,
and/or events and to analyze that observation data in order to identify and categorize common themes
in relation to the research problem underpinning the study. The content represents the researcher's
interpretation of meaning found in data that has been gathered during one or more observational
events

An observation is the “skill of describing scientific events” drawn from “any information collected with
the senses”.

Qualitative observations are those that use our senses (sight, hear, touch, smell, taste) to record the
results .An example of a qualitative observation is describing the color of the walls of the room as red.

Quantitative observations are those that can be measured using instruments and yield numerical
values. An example of a quantitative observation is the square meters of the room floor.

OBSERVATION

1:Participant Observation

It involves an intensive interaction between the observer and the subjects or participants by joining the
group he / she is studying in their environment and participate in their activities.

OVERT PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION

- It is a type of participant observation wherein the identity of the observer is known to the group being
studied. This means that prior to joining or observing the group, the observer is likely to inform the
members of the group about his / her goal in joining the group and the purpose, scope, and length of
the research.

COVERT PARTICIPANT OBSERVATION

- It is a type of participant observation wherein the identity of the observer is not disclosed to the group
being studied in order to be able to observe them in their natural environment. Through covert
observation, the “Hawthorne effect” is avoided.

2:

Nonparticipant Observation

- The observer does not participate in the activities of the group being observed. He /She is usually
seated at the sidelines observing the action of the group. This means that the observer is not directly
involved in the situation he / she is observing.

3:

Naturalistic Observation
- This method, which is commonly used by psychologists and other social science researchers, requires
that the researcher observes the subjects under study in their natural setting. The observer simply
observes and records what is really happening as they occur naturally like in laboratory research

4:

Controlled Observation

The researcher decides where the observation will take place, at what time, with which participants, in
what circumstances and uses a standardized procedure. Participants are randomly allocated to each
independent variable group.

In research, the following approaches require high observation skills:

Ethnography - STUDY OF PEOPLE AND CULTURES

Case Study- OBSERVING A PERSON OVER A PERIOD OF TIME

Historical Approach-OBSERVING PEOPLE IN THE SAME POSITION OVER A PERIOD OF TIME (3 CHIEF
JUSTICES IN THE LAST 10 YEARS)

Conversational / Interactional Analysis-OBSERVING PEOPLE AND HOW THEY INTERACT W/ EACH OTHER

University of Southern California: Guide points in preparing for a field report and conducting
observations:

1. Systematically observe and accurately record the varying aspects of the situation.
2. Continuously analyze your observation.
3. Keep the report’s aims in mind while you are observing.
4. Consciously observe, record, and analyze what you hear and see in the context of a theoretical
framework

ADVANTAGES & DISADVANTAGES OF ETHNOGRAPHIC OBSERVATION

ADVANTAGES

More comprehensive

Gains deeper and richer understanding of one’s behavior

in a natural setting

Suited in studying in group behavior over time

DISADVANTAGES

Dependent of the researcher’s observations and

interpretations
 Observer bias is difficult to eliminate

Close supervision is needed

TIPS ON JOTTING

1. Do not attempt to be a “court recorder”

2. Listening is more important than writing
3. Notes are memory triggers
4. Use pictures to illustrate concepts
5. Write down keywords only
6. Use multiple colors
7. Write on one side of the paper
8. Use the presenter’s pauses to enhance your notes
9. Review and enhance the notes within 24 hours
10. File notes in a meaningful system

Inferences are conclusions or deductions based on observations or from a given evidence. It is “a logical
interpretation of an event that is based on observations and schema”.

TECHNIQUES TO RECORD YOUR OBSERVATIONS

1. Note taking

Organizing some shorthand symbols beforehand so that recording basic or repeated actions does not
impede your ability to observe, using many small paragraphs, which reflect changes in activities, who is
talking, etc., and, leaving space on the page so you can write down additional thoughts and ideas about
what’s being observed, any theoretical insights, and notes to yourself that are set aside for further
investigation.

2. Photography

Taking a photograph can save you time in documenting the details of a space that would otherwise
require extensive note taking. However, be aware that flash photography could undermine your ability
to observe unobtrusively so assess the lighting in your observation space; if it's too dark, you may need
to rely on taking notes. Remember that photography does not absolutely reflect reality.

3. Video and Audio recording

It also facilitates repeated analysis of your observations. This can be particularly helpful as you gather
additional information or insights during your research. However, these techniques have the negative
effect of increasing how intrusive you are as an observer and will often not be practical or even allowed
under certain circumstances (Ethical considerations in every field).

4. Illustrations/Drawings

This does not refer to an artistic endeavor but, rather, refers to the possible need, for example, to draw
a map of the observation setting or illustrating objects in relation to people's behavior. This can also
take the form of rough tables or graphs documenting the frequency and type of activities observed.
These can be subsequently placed in a more readable format when you write your field report. To save
time, draft a table [i.e., columns and rows] on a separate piece of paper before an observation if you
know you will be entering data in that way.

WHAT TO OBSERVE

1. Physical setting. The characteristics of an occupied space and the human use of the place where
the observation(s) are b
2. Objects and material culture. The presence, placement, and arrangement of objects that impact
the behavior or actions of those being observed. If applicable, describe the cultural artifacts
representing the beliefs--values, ideas, attitudes, and assumptions--used by the individuals you
are observing.eing conducted
3. Use of language. Don't just observe but listen to what is being said, how is it being said, and, the
tone of conversation among participants

What you will observe is highly dependent on the subject under study

Behavior cycles. This refers to documenting when and who performs what behavior or task and how
often they occur. Record at which stage is this behavior occurring within the setting.

The order in which events unfold. Note sequential patterns of behavior or the moment when actions or
events take place and their significance.

Physical characteristics of subjects. If relevant, note age, gender, clothing, etc. of individuals.

Expressive body movements. This would include things like body posture or facial expressions. Note that
it may be relevant to also assess whether expressive body movements support or contradict the use of
language.
SURVEY REPORT

A survey report is an academic text that documents the data commentaries of a research paper.

It can be a formal document that can be used for submission to your research teacher to show your
progress in your research paper, in terms of interpreting the result of your data.

It can be considered as a preview of your chapter four.

It is an organized method of recording, presenting, and interpreting your data.

STRUCTURE:

1. Title Page
This contains the submission details; format for which may vary depending on the requirement
of the reader.
2. Table of Contents
You start with the actual page nos in the executive summary; the rest are in small roman
numerals because they are preliminaries only.
In some formats, the preliminaries are included in the table of contents: the executive summary
is also sometimes considered part of the preliminaries.
A separate page should be allotted for list of figures labelled as Page IV
3. Executive Summary – overview of your survey report that contains the following:
a. Methodology
b. Key Results
c. Conclusions drawn from key findings
d. Recommendation
4. Background and Objectives
This specifies the groundwork of the survey conducted.
Where in your research paper would you find the info. Needed for this part? Previous chapters
of your paper
5. Methodology
This summarizes the processes involved in selecting the respondents & generating the data
What are the things to consider in this part of your survey report?
a. Profile of Respondents that include
1. Demographics – age, race, place of birth, gender, etc.
2. TARGET VS ACTUAL SIZE - how many were you expecting to answer vs how many
responded
3. How the respondents were selected, and how it was administered
4. What was given in exchange for the response, where and when it was conducted
b. Others
Sample questions for each theme
Ethical considerations

6. Results and Discussion- this presents the tables & figures with their corresponding data commentaries
What should be the arrangement of your data commentaries? Based on the themes used and variables
measured by the survey

7. Conclusion - this closes your survey report

8. References

How should you write your conclusion? By summarizing, paraphrasing, and synthesizing step 3 of all
your data commentaries

9. APPENDICES- THIS EXHIBITS ALL THE SURVEY-RELATED DOCUMENTS YOU USED

a. questionnaires

b. request letters

c. letter of approval

d. other important documents

LABORATORY REPORT
1. Document that provides essential details on what took place inside the laboratory

2. Fundamental to hard sciences (such as Engineering and health-related courses)

3. Concrete evidence of the writer’s understanding of the rationale, principles, processes and results of
the experiment.

Structure:

1. ABSTRACT-condensed version of the experiment

TIP 1: It must be substantial enough that the reader need not read the entire report to know the
details of the experiment
TIP 2: It must concise and comprehensible without giving too much information.
2. INTRODUCTION
TIP 1: Highlights the need/s as to why the experiment will be conducted
TIP 2: Gives the background information and primary motivation of the experiment
TIP 3: Outlines the investigation question and objectives
TIP 4: Discusses related theories and defines key concepts
3. MATERIALS
TIP 1: Lists the necessary equipment, apparatus, chemicals, glass wares needed in the
laboratory.
TIP 2: Gives how much and/or how many of the materials needed for the experiment is
indicated
TIP 3: Outlines the specifics of setting up the materials
4. PROCEDURE
TIP 1: Includes the detailed steps undertaken and all materials used in the experiment
TIP 2: Provides the difficulties encountered and how they were solved are discussed
TIP 3: You may present the procedure using graphic organizers – flow charts
 5. RESULTS
TIP 1: Shows what was obtained in the experiment conducted
TIP 2:Uses narrative and graphic format (e.g tables, graphs, etc.)
TIP 3: Provides a brief explanation for each graphs
TIP 4: You may present the results using the following graphic formats – pies, charts, and tables
6. DISCUSSION
TIP 1: Provides analysis and interpretation of the raw data.
TIP 2: Interpolates the result as relative to experimental objectives and statement of the
problem.
TIP 3: Relates the result of the experiment to scientific theories and principles
7. CONCLUSION
TIP 1:Includes any unforeseen results/occurrence in the conduct of the study
TIP 2: Restates the experiment’s objectives, the methods used, the salient findings, the
knowledge acquired
TIP 2: Restates the experiment’s objectives, the methods used, the salient findings, the
knowledge acquired
8. REFERENCES
REFERENCES that are useful for the reader to read up on topics related to the experiment
TIP1: Details on where you took your information as cited in the laboratory report

CREATIVE PRESENTATION

Why use presentation aids?

1. Clarifying the verbal message

2. Adding variety
3. Reducing Public Speaking Anxiety
4. Conveying information concisely
5. Increasing persuasive appeal
6. Increasing Listener Retention

We learn and retain only:

10% of what we read

20% of what we hear

30% of what we see

50% of what we hear and see

PRESENTATION AIDS

THEY aim to supplement your REPORT through a combination of the following: pictures, art forms,

illustrations, and/or sound.

Classification of Presentation Aids:

1. Visual Aids
a. CHARTS & OTHER GRAPHIC ORGANIZERS
b. SLIDES AND/OR PRESENTATIONS
c. MAPS
d. PROPS (RELIAS)
e. MODELS
f. ILLUSTRATIONS
g. PHOTOGRAPHS
2. Audio Aids:
a. SOUND
b. MUSICAL RECORDINGS
c. PODCASTS
d. INTERVIEWS
e. CONVERSATIONS
f. SPEECHES
3. Audio-visual Aids
a. Videos
b. Plays
c. Movie clips

QUALITIES OF GOOD PRESENTATION AIDS

1. Relevant
2. Readable
3. Varied
4. Appealing
5. Appropriate