FIELD REPORTS

HOW TO BEGIN?

 FIELD REPORTS- are often assigned in

disciplines of the applied social sciences,
social work, anthropology, criminal justice,
education, law etc. where it is important
to build a bridge of relevancy between
the theoretical concepts learned in the
classroom and the practice of actually
doing the work you are being taught to
do.
FIELD REPORTS
 Are common in certain science disciplines but these
reports are organized differently and serve a
different purpose than what is described.
 It facilitate the development of data collection
techniques and observation skills and they help
you to understand how theory applies o real
world situations.
 Also an opportunity to obtain evidence through
methods of observing professional practice that
contribute to or challenge existing theories.
FIELD REPORTS

 We are all observers of people, their

interactions, places and events; however
your responsibility when writing a field
report is to create a research study
based on data generated by the act of
designing a specific data, deliberate
observation, a synthesis of key findings
and an interpretation of their meaning.
When writing a field
report you need to:
1. Systematicallyobserve and accurately
record the varying aspects of a situation.
 Always approach your field study with a
detailed plan about what you will
observe, where you should conduct your
observations and the method to collect
and record your data.
2. Continuously analyze your observations.
 Always look for the meaning underlying
the actions you observe. Note that this an
on-going process of reflection and
analysis taking place for the duration of
your field research.
3. Keep the report’s aim in mind while you
are observing.
 In recording you must be focused and pay
attention to details. Enter the observation
site with a clear plan about what you are
intending to observe and record being
prepared to adapt to changing
environment.
4. Consciously observe, record and analyze
what you hear and see in the context of a
theoretical framework.
 The theoretical framework guiding you
field research should determine what,
when and how you observe and act as
the foundation from which you interpret
your findings.
TECHNIQUES TO RECORD
OBSERVATION
Note Taking

 This is the most commonly used

and easiest method of recording
your observations.
Photography
 It can help capture an important
moment in time as well as document
details about the space where your
observation takes place. It can also
save time for documenting the
details of space that would
otherwise require extensive note
taking.
Audio and Video Recordings
 This can be particularly helpful as you gather
additional information or insights during your
research. These techniques have the negative
effect of increasing how intrusive you are as an
observer and will often not be practical or
even allowed under certain circumstances and
in certain organizational settings.
Illustrations and Drawings
 This does not refer to an artistic endeavor but,
rather, refers to possible need, for example, to
draw a map of the observation setting or
illustrating objects in relation to people’s
behavior.
Generic Format of Field Report
Introduction Appendix

Description
of Activities
References

Interpretation
and Analysis

Conclusions and
Recommendations
I-Introduction
 It describe the research problem.
 The objectives of the problem.
 You should also include a review of pertinent
literature related to the problem, especially if
similar methods were used in prior studies.
 Conclude your introduction with a statement about
how the rest of the paper is organized.
II-Description of Activities
 This is similar to a well written piece of journalism. Five
W’s of Investigative reporting. These are the following:
 WHAT- describe what you observed. Physical and
social boundaries you imposed to limit the observations
you made.
 WHEN- record factual data about the day and the
beginning and ending time of observation.
 WHO- note background and demographic information
about the individuals being observed (age, gender, who
is doing or saying that)
 WHY- describe the reasons for selecting particular
situations to observe .
III-Interpretation and Analysis
 Always place the analysis and interpretations of your
field observations within the larger context of the
theories and issues you described in the introduction.
Analyze the data which observations are worthy of
comment and interpretation, which observations are
more general in nature. It is your theoretical framework
that allows you to make your decisions.
 Interpretations must be based on what you have
actually observed. Do not speculate or manipulate your
data to fit into your study’s theoretical framework.
III-Interpretation and Analysis
 Questions you have to consider in analyzing your
observations:
 What is the meaning of what you have observed?
 Why do you think what you observed happened? What
evidence do you have for your reasoning?
 Do you see any connections or patterns in what you
observed?
 What were the strengths and weaknesses of the
observations you recorded?
 Do you see connections between what you observed and the
findings of similar studies indentified from your review of
the literature?
 Have you learned anything from what you have observed?
IV- Conclusions and Recommendations

 It should briefly recap the entire study, reiterating

the importance or significance of your observations.
Avoid including any information.
 You should state any recommendations if you have.
 The conclusion should not be more than two or three
paragraphs.
V- Appendix
 This is where you would place information that is not
essential to explaining your findings, but that
supports your analysis that validates your
conclusions or that contextualizes a related point
that helps the reader understand the overall report.
 Examples:
figures/tables/graphs/pictures/maps/drawings or
if applicable transcripts of interview.
VI- References

 List all sources that you consulted and

obtained your information from while
writing your field report. Be sure to write
them in the preferred citation style of
your discipline.
General Considerations
 Comprehensible- needs to be understood by a range
of potential audiences-including staff of other
agencies not expert in the subject and local
communities. Use simple, clear language-avoid highly
technical terms & flowery description.
 Comprehensive- must include all the facts and
information of any relevance and include notes on
checks made which did not uncover irregularities
 Concise- It adds clarity. Helps to keep facts or
conclusions in main body, but calculations/analysis
and list of annexes.