Type of field note
1. Jotted Notes
Writing note from field observation where it belongs and has to be secretive. Jotted notes are written in the field They are short, temporary memory triggers such as words, phrases, or drawings taken inconspicuously. They are incorporated into direct observation notes.
2. Direct observation notes
Writing immediately after leaving a field, this can add later and organizes the notes with the date, time, and place on each entry. The notes are a detailed what they heard and saw in specific terms. They are recording of particular words, phrases, or action.
3. Researcher inference notes
This involves a three step.
• Listens without applying, compares what is heard to what was heard.
• Applies their own interpretation to infer what it means.
• Jump quickly to our own inferences.
A field researcher learns to look and listen without inferring and go into direct observation notes. They see specific physical actions; then use background cultural knowledge to assign social meaning.
4. Methodological Notes
Research makes many decisions about how to proceed while in the field. And planned (to conduct an interview, to observe a particular activity), researchers keep separate methodological notes to record their plans, ethical and procedural decisions.
5. Theoretical Notes
Theoretical notes is a running account of a researcher’s try to give meaning to field events by suggesting links between ideas and developing new concepts, researcher elaborates on ideas in depth, expand on ideas or develops more theory by thinking about the memos.
6. Personal Notes
Personal feelings and emotional reactions become part of the data researcher records
Three functions.
• A way to cope with stress
• Personal reactions
• Evaluate direct observation, for example, if she was in a good mood during observations, it might color what she observed.