Field Notes
Field notes are an indispensable data source. Patton (1990) writes that field notes
should contain a written comment of everything the researcher finds worthwhile;
do not leave it to recall. Field notes are the researcher’s detailed and descriptive
record of the research experience, including observations, a reconstruction of
dialogue, personal reflections, a physical description of the setting, and decisions
made that alter or direct the research process. Often notes are written on a small
note pad the researcher carries; other times a laptop computer may be
appropriate, and on other occasions, field notes must be written after an event
because it is inappropriate to take notes in certain settings. If notes are taken
during a session, it is important to review them as soon after the event as possible
to fill in any blanks, fix up any ‘scribbles’, and add any detail you may not have
had time to note. Be sure to include your immediate thoughts. Often it takes
three times longer to write good field notes than to do an actual observation.