FIELD DIARY: CHARACTERISTICS, WHAT IT IS FOR, EXAMPLE - LITERATURE - 2024

A field diary is a data collection instrument used especially in research activities. After recording the data, the information is subjected to evaluations and interpretations. Its name is due to the fact that the recording of the events is made directly in the physical space where they occur.

The data collected through the field diary is of a diverse nature. It can be memoirs, travel stories, ideas, fragments of conversations, diagrams, maps, and transcripts. What is collected is objective in nature, but the diary is itself subjective.

This is due to the fact that the format used for its preparation depends to a great extent on the style of the researcher and his objectives. Thus, the relationships described in a field journal are reality, but seen through the eyes of the researcher.

In addition, this subjectivity is repeated when the researcher proceeds to interpret the records. Due to all this load of subjectivity, the field diaries of different researchers involved in similar investigations are not necessarily the same.

On the other hand, since the field diary is an official log of the activities of a certain researcher, it must be ordered sequentially. That is, the records are included in the same order in which they are generated. It also includes both qualitative and quantitative information and both descriptive and analytical.

A good field diary enables statistical formulation, diagnosis, prognosis, and situational assessments. In the same way, it allows the location of potholes in the sequence of information. Likewise, its sequentiality allows the planning of future activities necessary for research development.

characteristics

Collect information to be evaluated

The scope of a field journal is the collection of all that type of information that is susceptible to be evaluated after being collected. This feature makes it ideal for data logging of scientific activities.

In this sense, it is an ideal tool in both natural and social sciences. Anthropology, sociology, ethnography (observation of the cultural uses of a social group), archeology, among others, make up a suitable environment for the use of this tool.

On the other hand, the field diary also has application in many areas of education. Its frequent use is related to the evaluation of practical activities carried out by students.

On the one hand, the review of the diaries allows teachers to evaluate the fulfillment of the objectives and the level of knowledge acquired. Apart from that, it makes it possible to measure acquired writing skills and composition ability.

There is implicit subjectivity in objectivity

The reason for being a field diary is to collect real and objective information. However, the editor of the newspaper at the same time that he collects it, enriches it with his personal comments - which he also records in the newspaper.

In this way, it is easy to check that the course of the process follows the planned sequence. Likewise, it allows to envision possible events according to the chronological sequence of events. This action of recording thoughts, ideas or assumptions, introduces a first element of subjectivity into the process.

Depending on the objectives pursued, the same data can make one think who makes the diary in one sense or another. Likewise, subjective elements are introduced when thoughts, ideas or assumptions have to do with sensory observations (appearance, smell and taste, among others)

On the other hand, subjectivity is also present when data is interpreted. This time, depending on the expertise of the journalist and his experience, the information is analyzed in one way or another.

It is personal

Regardless of the form of its presentation, the preparation of the field diary is done personally. All records are handcrafted from the field of work.

Even in the cases of teamwork, each of the members of the work team keeps their own diary. In the case of group results, the team meets, discusses the annotations of each of its diaries and issues a consensual version.

Is focused on a particular problem or activity

Due to the nature of the situations (some of them may occur only once during the entire investigation), the field journal must be accurate. The theoretical knowledge of the editor must anticipate the occurrence of the event to be able to record it without losing detail.

Therefore, this record must be sufficiently detailed in time and space. Some researchers even record information that - apparently - is not related to the phenomenon studied. Thus, you can find records on the prevailing climate at the time of taking the data (rainy, sunny, cold, hot).

Also, the field journal must be organized. The arrangement can be strictly chronological or following specific conditions. Once the arrangement is selected, it is kept across all records.

With this, the relational integrity of the events remains and both the review and the interpretation of the records are facilitated.

What is a field journal for?

A field journal serves in the field of non-experimental scientific research and in education. In this sense, field research differs from experimental (laboratory) in that its conditions are not controlled. Consequently, the occurrence of events is unforeseen and can even become violent.

On the other hand, in field investigations the ideal conditions for data recording are not guaranteed. Under these circumstances, a field diary fulfills the objective of preserving the observations made for the future. On the other hand, it accumulates, categorizes and synthesizes the information that will be the object of interpretation and analysis.

Regarding its use in education, the field diary represents for teachers an adequate mechanism for the evaluation of multiple activities.

Through their consultation, they can evaluate methodologies, progress and achievement of objectives in each of the phases of the teaching activity.

Through this tool, educators can identify weaknesses and plan next tasks. In addition, being a personal activity, each student can be evaluated in relation to their synthesis capacity and their ability to detect important events in the course of an activity.

How do you keep a field journal?

When starting a field journal, it is necessary to establish a methodology that guarantees the integrity of the data collected.

Although the structuring of the diary is a personal matter, there are general rules to follow that come from the recommendations of scientists who use this tool. Some of them are detailed below.

Detailed start of entries

Each time new data is entered into the field journal, it should begin by describing the surrounding conditions. Doing this enables the abundance of detail around the data to facilitate its subsequent interpretation.

As a recommendation, it is suggested that the location and name of the site from where the events take place and the names of the people involved be included.

Similarly, it is suggested to detail outstanding characteristics of the day such as date and time. Depending on the type of research conducted, details such as weather conditions can be incorporated.

Systematic recording of events

The recording of events must be detailed and systematic. The facts that influence the outcome of the investigation should be followed up.

Each time an observation is made, these events are reviewed for changes. The observation must be made from the same point of view to have the invariable frame of reference.

Some events are fast-paced or difficult to follow. In those cases, it is recommended to implement helper methods such as the ethogram, which makes it easier to take notes in changing situations. This consists of assigning codes to groups of changes in events.

Also, it is advisable to carry the meaning of each of the codes created on a separate sheet. In this way, the exchange of information with other people who can make contributions to the research is made possible.

Control over notes

In a field journal it is important to establish a system for reviewing and auditing the notes entered. These must be permanent and not widely spaced in time.

Each time this control is carried out, attention must be paid to events considered important, especially those that may have an influence on the investigation.

On the other hand, care must be taken that control over these events makes it possible to study their development. Once the really important events have been identified, others on which records were initially kept are discarded.

In this way, the identification is oriented and the really relevant event (s) within the study are isolated.

Related income

The important thing about a field diary is that its data serve for later evaluation. To facilitate this evaluation, it is recommended that each new event be accompanied by the researcher's comment. These save work and help focus the study.

To do this, it is customary for newspapers to be kept in two columns. A vertical line divides the page into two sections, in one of them the event is recorded and in the other, at the same level, the comment.

In this way, the event-comment relationship is preserved, which will facilitate the subsequent interpretation of the data.

Example

Charles Darwin - an English geologist, biologist and naturalist - founded his theory of the origin of species on his observations over almost 5 years.

This was the time he was sailing aboard the ship HMS Beagle along the entire South American coast. It is claimed that in the course of this expedition she filled out 15 field diaries.

In them, he recorded his observations on topics such as zoology, botany, archeology, and linguistics. In the same way, he related in his daily data such as latitude and longitude, barometer readings, temperature and depth soundings. It also included sketches of maps and specimens.

In addition, he included personal information as entries with his personal considerations and financial information. The diaries were sequentially marked alphabetically.

Some of his journals contained memos on the things he needed to examine further, the questions he wanted to answer, the scientific speculations, the notes on the many books he was reading at the time, the natural observations, the sketches and lists of the books he had read and wanted to read.

Darwin wrote vertically on the page with a pencil when he was in the field and horizontally with a pen when he leaned against a desk. Later, the interpretation of all this data supported the launch of his theory on the evolution of species.

References

1. Pérez Porto, J. and Merino M. (2009) Definition of a field newspaper. Taken from

   definition of.

2. Valverde Obando, LA (s / f). The field diary. Taken from binasss.sa.cr.
3. Valley City State University. (s / f). Field Journal. Taken from vcsu.edu.
4. Alzate Yepes, T.; Puerta C., AM and Morales, RM (s / f). A pedagogical mediation in higher education in health. The field diary. Taken from rieoei.org.
5. University of Southern California. (s / f). Organizing Your Social Sciences Research Paper: Writing Field Notes. Taken from libguides.usc.edu.
6. American Museum of Natural History. (s / f). Doing Science: Researchers and Exhibition Staff Talk About Their Work. Taken from amnh.org.
7. University of California. (s / f). How to keep a field journal. Taken from cemarin.ucanr.edu.