LEC 8 - FIELD DIARY – DEFINITION – COMPONENTS TO BE

INCLUDED – PARTS OF FIELD DIARY – FIELD DIARY IN

SOCIAL SCIENCES

FIELD DIARY - DEFINITION

The field diary is the basic document which contains all the data collected. It
enables the researcher to record events as they occur which they annotate with
developing interpretations. Facts and interpretations are to be written separately
and conversations are to be noted in the vernacular languages.

All the scientists who work in the field keep a field dairy or journal. In this
dairy he/she records everything he/she finds, observes and collects. This dairy
serves as a record for future reference.

Two kinds of field notes are to be observed

a) Taking notes on the spot
b) Writing detailed diary

It is instructed to write the field diary everyday in which there is

a) Detailed notes of observations
b) Field notes on discussion and conversations
c) Details of Interpersonal communication, gossips, fold history’s similar events
d) Specific details of special events

CHARACTERISTICS OF FIELD DAIRY

 Be accurate. 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. This will help you develop your own style of
transcribing observations quickly and accurately.

 Be organized. Taking accurate notes while you are actively observing can be
difficult. Therefore, it is important that you plan ahead how you will document
your observation study [e.g., strictly chronologically or according to specific
prompts]. Notes that are disorganized will make it more difficult for you to
interpret the data.

 Be descriptive. Use descriptive words to document what you observe. For

example, instead of noting that a classroom appears "comfortable," state that the
classroom includes soft lighting and cushioned chairs that can be moved around
by the students. Being descriptive means supplying yourself with enough factual
evidence that you don't end up making assumptions about what you meant
when you write the final report.

 Focus on the research problem. Since it's impossible to document everything

you observe, focus on collecting the greatest detail that relates to the research
problem and the theoretical constructs underpinning your
research; avoid cluttering your notes with irrelevant information. For example, if
the purpose of your study is to observe the discursive

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 interactions between nursing home staff and the family members of residents,
then it would only be necessary to document the setting in detail if it in some
way directly influenced those interactions [e.g., there is a private room available
for discussions between staff and family members].

 Record insights and thoughts. As you take notes, be thinking about the
underlying meaning of what you observe and record your thoughts and ideas
accordingly. If needed, this will help you to ask questions or seek clarification
from participants after the observation. To avoid any confusion, subsequent
comments from participants should be included in a separate, reflective part of
your field notes and not merged with the descriptive notes.

COMPONENTS TO BE INCLUDED IN FIELD DIARY

There is no special format in writing a field diary but entries should be
written daily in chronological order so information is not forgotten or changed
because of forgetfulness. The critical concern is that observations are recorded in a
diary regularly.

Field Diary content should be organized into two categories.

1) Observations
2) Impressions

Observations should be objective, the documenter should only write down

what she/he actually saw or heard. Observations include descriptions of the
physical setting (Climate, geographic area and resources), the demographics
settings (concentration, movement and general characteristics of people) and the
organizational setting (the different social levels in the system, the communication
network and the degree of complexity in the social system).
The researcher also observes individuals, small groups, families ethnic
groups, villages and government organizations. Observations can be made of
situations and human actions, including actors between farmers between farmers
and government agencies and between different government agencies.

The subjective impressions of the documenter make up the second category

in a field diary. Impressions should be clearly differentiated from observations. If
for instance the researcher observes a bitter argument between two farmers about
water distribution in a canal, she/he should write down what was actually seen
and then write down his or her own impressions of the vent.
Impressions are important because they help the researcher evaluate and
give meaning to the observations. Thus, impressions should be recorded for all
observations. As a result of recording impressions, new ideas may emerge that may
lead to a better understanding of the irrigation system.

PARTS OF A DAILY FIELD DIARY

The ways in which you take notes during an observational study is very
much a personal decision developed over time as you become more experienced in
fieldwork. However, all field notes generally consist of two parts:

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1. Descriptive content, in which you attempt to accurately document factual data
[e.g., date and time] along with the settings, actions, behaviours, and
conversations that you observe; and,
2. Reflective content, in which you record your thoughts, ideas, questions, and
concerns during the observation.

Note that field notes should be fleshed out as soon as possible after an
observation is completed. Your initial notes may be recorded in cryptic form and,
unless additional detail is added as soon as possible after the observation,
important facts and opportunities for fully interpreting the data may be lost.

General guidelines for writing the Descriptive Content

The descriptive content of your notes can vary in detail depending upon
what needs to be emphasized in order to address the research problem. However,
in most observations, your notes should include at least some of the following
elements:

 Describe the physical setting.

 Describe the social environment and the way in which participants interacted
within the setting. This may include patterns of interactions, frequency of
interactions, direction of communication patterns [including non-verbal
communication], and patterns of specific behavioural events, such as, conflicts,
decision-making, or collaboration.
 Describe the participants and their roles in the setting.
 Describe, as best you can, the meaning of what was observed from the
perspectives of the participants.
 Record exact quotes or close approximations of comments that relate directly to
the purpose of the study.
 Describe any impact you might have had on the situation you observed
[important!].

General guidelines for writing the Reflective Content

You are the instrument of data gathering and interpretation. Therefore,
reflective content can include any of the following elements intended to
contextualize what you have observed based on your perspective and your own
personal, cultural, and situational experiences.

 Note ideas, impressions, thoughts, and/or any criticisms you have about what
you observed.
 Include any unanswered questions or concerns that have arisen from analyzing
the observation data.
 Clarify points and/or correct mistakes and misunderstandings in other parts of
field notes.
 Include insights about what you have observed and speculate as to why you
believe specific phenomenon occurred.
 Record any thoughts that you may have regarding any future observations.

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ANALYSIS OF YOUR FIELD DIARY
Analysis of your field dairy should occur as they are being written and while
you are conducting your observations. This is important for at least two reasons.

 First, preliminary analysis fosters self-reflection. Self-reflection is crucial for

facilitating deep understanding and meaning-making in any research study.

 Second, preliminary analysis reveals emergent themes. Identifying emergent

themes while observing allows you to shift your attention in ways that can
foster a more developed investigation.

FIELD DIARY IN SOCIAL SCIENCES

The most useful tool for a social scientist is a field diary. It helps the
investigator to understand the systems physical and social setting. It helps describe
who, what, why, where, when and how. Who refers to the people or system being
studied. What is concerned with the information gathered. Why, where, when and
how provide important details about the observation.

Eleanor Sterling, an anthropologist has done extensive field work in Africa

from the rain forest of Madagascar to the Savanas of Tanzania. She has given some
guidelines on keeping a filed diary/journal.

1. Use a well sharpened pencil.

2. Begin each day of the session by writing down the basic information.
a) Site name/location
b) Plant name/number
c) Group name
d) Date and time of the day
e) Temperature and weather conditions
f) Soil condition – moist or dry

3. Record the observation

a) If there are fruits and flowers on individual tree
b) Interaction among the insects or between insects and plants like feeding,
pollinating.
c) Fighting including aggression and defence
d) Reproduction etc.

4. If things are happening so quickly that is not possible to note everything develop
a coding system that is called ‘Ethogram’, to note down quickly. It is a catalogue or
table of all the different kinds of behaviour or activity observed in an animal/plant.

5. After returning to class or home, read over the entire notes and underline or use
a high lighter to mark the important things.

6. Have direct feeling about a situation and express it in your own words

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Reference:

1. Sagar Mondal. 2018. Communication Skills, Personality Development,

Entrepreneurship Development and Business Communication. Kalyani
publishers, Ludhiana.
2. http://ecoursesonline.iasri.res.in/mod/page/view.php?id=49755
3. https://libguides.usc.edu/writingguide/fieldnotes

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