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Fieldnotes[1] (4)

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Tony Tipton

The document provides tips for organizing qualitative research data through computer file management and field notes. It recommends using a computer for data entry, creating file names with consistent naming conventions, and taking different types of field notes including descriptive, reflective, and memo notes. It also provides tips for taking field notes such as writing them immediately, starting new paragraphs for episodes, and distinguishing reflections. The document outlines elements to include in field notes like portraits of participants, reconstructed dialogue, descriptions of physical settings, accounts of events, depictions of activities, and reflections.

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BE ORGANIZED!!! Use a computer for data management If you cannot type or use computers take a crash course or choose another calling Bogdan & Biklen (2003), p. 111. Back up your files frequently! Fieldnotes
Use computer file-naming conventions, e.g., 2006_interview_Jones_notes 2006_interview_Jones_transcript 2006_interview_Jones_coded 2006_fieldnotes_original 2006_fieldnotes_expanded 2006_fieldnotes_coded
Descriptive (Condensed Expanded) Reflective (Condensed Expanded) Memos (Notes to self, emerging themes, ideas to explore, plans)
Fieldnote Tips: Use a portable word processor or laptop for fieldnotes Write fieldnotes immediately, do NOT wait until later Start a new paragraph for every new episode Organize information chronologically Distinguish your reflections in brackets, ALL CAPS, or use some other visual convention Leave large margins for hardcopy coding (or use columns)
PORTRAITS OF THE PARTICIPANTS This includes their physical appearance, dress, mannerisms, and style of talking and acting. Look for particular aspects of people that might set them apart from others and tell you about their interests and affiliations.
RECONSTRUCTION OF DIALOGUE The conversations that go on between participants are recorded as well as what participants say to you directly. Strive to capture the participants language, in their own words. Quote the participants. Write down words or phrases that are unique to the setting or that have a special use in the setting.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYSICAL SETTING Drawings of the space and furniture arrangements are useful. Verbal sketches of things such as the contents of bulletin boards, the furniture, the floors, the walls the general feel of the roommay also be included. Try to capture the sense of the building or locationthe context.
ACCOUNTS OF PARTICULAR EVENTS List who was involved, in what manner, and the nature of the action.
DEPICTION OF ACTIVITIES Include detailed descriptions of behavior and try to reproduce the sequence of both behaviors and particular acts.
YOUR BEHAVIOR Treat yourself as an object of scrutiny, too. Because you are the instrument of data collection, it is very important to take stock of your own behavior, assumptions, and whatever else might affect the data that are gathered and analyzed.
REFLECTIVE FIELDNOTES Reflections on analysis Reflections on method Reflections on ethical dilemmas and conflicts Reflections on the observers frame of mind Points of clarification

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Fieldnotes[1] (4)

  • 1. BE ORGANIZED!!! Use a computer for data management If you cannot type or use computers take a crash course or choose another calling Bogdan & Biklen (2003), p. 111. Back up your files frequently! Fieldnotes
  • 2. Use computer file-naming conventions, e.g., 2006_interview_Jones_notes 2006_interview_Jones_transcript 2006_interview_Jones_coded 2006_fieldnotes_original 2006_fieldnotes_expanded 2006_fieldnotes_coded
  • 3. Descriptive (Condensed Expanded) Reflective (Condensed Expanded) Memos (Notes to self, emerging themes, ideas to explore, plans)
  • 4. Fieldnote Tips: Use a portable word processor or laptop for fieldnotes Write fieldnotes immediately, do NOT wait until later Start a new paragraph for every new episode Organize information chronologically Distinguish your reflections in brackets, ALL CAPS, or use some other visual convention Leave large margins for hardcopy coding (or use columns)
  • 5. PORTRAITS OF THE PARTICIPANTS This includes their physical appearance, dress, mannerisms, and style of talking and acting. Look for particular aspects of people that might set them apart from others and tell you about their interests and affiliations.
  • 6. RECONSTRUCTION OF DIALOGUE The conversations that go on between participants are recorded as well as what participants say to you directly. Strive to capture the participants language, in their own words. Quote the participants. Write down words or phrases that are unique to the setting or that have a special use in the setting.
  • 7. DESCRIPTION OF THE PHYSICAL SETTING Drawings of the space and furniture arrangements are useful. Verbal sketches of things such as the contents of bulletin boards, the furniture, the floors, the walls the general feel of the roommay also be included. Try to capture the sense of the building or locationthe context.
  • 8. ACCOUNTS OF PARTICULAR EVENTS List who was involved, in what manner, and the nature of the action.
  • 9. DEPICTION OF ACTIVITIES Include detailed descriptions of behavior and try to reproduce the sequence of both behaviors and particular acts.
  • 10. YOUR BEHAVIOR Treat yourself as an object of scrutiny, too. Because you are the instrument of data collection, it is very important to take stock of your own behavior, assumptions, and whatever else might affect the data that are gathered and analyzed.
  • 11. REFLECTIVE FIELDNOTES Reflections on analysis Reflections on method Reflections on ethical dilemmas and conflicts Reflections on the observers frame of mind Points of clarification