Field Notes refer to the transcribed notes or the written account derived from data collected during
observations. There are many styles of field notes, but all field notes generally consist of two parts:
descriptive in which the observer attempts to capture a word-picture of the setting, actions and
conversations; and reflective in which the observer records thoughts, ideas, questions and concerns based
on the observations.
What to look for when doing observations/field notes?
1. Physical setting.
2. Activities.
3. Formal interactions.
4. Informal interactions and unplanned activities.
5. Nonverbal communication.
6. Observing what does not happen.
Guidelines for content part of field notes:
1. Describe the setting.
2. Describe the activities that took place in that setting. Reproduce the sequence of actions and behaviors.
3. Describe the people who took part in the activities and their roles in the activities.
4. Describe the meaning of what was observed from the perspective of the participants.
5. Record exact quotes or close approximations of comments that relate directly to the observation
activity.
6. Describe any impact you might have had on the situation you observed.
SAMPLE FIELD NOTES ACCOUNT
FIELD NOTES ANALYSIS – (Dagcutan, Duerme, Elivera)
Date: Time:
Topic: Place:
Description of Description Activities that Observation Description of Describe any
Participants of Setting took place in the meaning of impact you
that setting what was might have
observed from had on the
the perspective situation you
of the observed.
participants.
1. The group 1. The place 1 The group of 1. There’s the 1. The said 1. The said
consist of five is crowded students are look of panic situation topic provided
girls and they and a lot of talking about and frustration implies the high level of
are wearing people are their last quiz on the set of cultivation of relativity on
uniform under talking to on the subject students. It education in the us, as they
the institute of each other. of Anatomy can also be Philippines. tackle the
Arts and and observed on They placed same subject,
Sciences. Physiology the tone of high value on we’re
Their course is and how hard their voice on studies and the currently
also Medical it is for them. how regretful results that they struggling in.
Technology. They also and worried How the
talked about they are on the might be scores can
their personal said results. getting. affect the
worries on the mood that
said exam. we’re in for a
2. The span of time.
2. The students 2. The place 2. The students 2. The systems 2. It reminded
are from the is crowded as students are appear to be and me how
Tourism they were sitting near the elated as they specialization necessary
course and filled with pavilion and talk about the within societies breaks are for
they are all students. The beside them end of their became more full function.
wearing their University are students practical complicated. You are
institute polos. Church is who are exams after The certain turning into
They consist present and so playing their practical predicament your diffused
of three girls are the trees. basketball. exams. They pushed the mode which
and a boy. Bags were They were were very students to find making a
They were all everywhere, talking about eager to pick a some sort of association on
excited and some students how they place to eat comfort right your brain
looking appear to be finished the right after the after the working
forward for resting. practical exam rigidness of hardships the memory to
their future and were the said test. education make it stick
plans. looking for a system has put into your long
place to eat. them through. term memory.
3. One student You are
3. The seemed to be 3. Now we have resting your
3. The students 3. The place students are exasperated as formal mind so that it
are from the is crowded discussing he tries to education to can function
Psychology and there are about their delegate the understand the better and
course as they many students next reporting task ahead, systems, work avoid from
seem passing by the on the subject while the rest the systems and getting burnt
exasperated on hallway of the of appears to be prepare for our out.
the said task Tech Understanding nonchalant, role in society.
ahead. The Building. the Self. They nevertheless Delegation is 3. It provided
group are in Students can are dividing he continues important in me the concept
the usual IAS be found the task and to speak as the order to fulfill of delegation.
institute shirt, studying on planning on others try to those tasks and Delegating
all wearing the the said what to do on listen. the roles tasks enables
color green. hallway and the reporting. assigned, growth and
They all wore filled the scale in a
maong pants, space. business. One
sporting a person is
casual, college limited in their
look. The time and
group consists ability. The
of three boys best leaders
and four girls. are able to
provide
direction but
leave the
specifics up to
people more
capable than
them in those
particular
areas.
