The Golden Rule
(of field notebook keeping)
A third party should be
able to run the fieldtrip
solely based on the
directions, notes and
observations recorded in
your field notebook.
•clearly mark your field notebook with your name
• provide a contact address and return date in
case your notebook is lost
• include a table of content (stops) at the front of
your field notebook. You might also make a
separate content list for specimens and photos
taken.
• use a pencil to take your notes!
Header: Day of Fieldwork and
Date - each stop should have
this at the top for easy reference
when flipping through pages
later
Stop #: Number stops by day
and stop. Provide brief title. Be
sure to start each new stop on
its own new page.
Map or Directions: This might
be the most crucial piece of
information for each stop. Draw
a general map or provide written
directions to your location.
Sketch or Photo: Provide a
small sketch of the locality (if
appropriate). You want to make
sure you will be able to
recognize the actual site in the
future. Be sure to include both
horizontal and vertical scales
and notes on the relative viewing
direction. You might also glue in
a small photograph here.
GPS
Coordinates:
When
available
provide
GPS
coordinates.
However, these
should NEVER take the place of
directions and/or a small map.
Time: This will help you keep a
record of how much time you
spent at the location and travel
times between stops.
Conditions: You want to be
prepared for future visits to this
stop. Include any noteworthy
observations on the conditions
of the location and possible
dangers. Weather conditions at
the time you visited might later
explain why your field notes
were shorter than at other
stops...
Page #: Be sure to number your
pages as you go along. This will
help you link your stops to your
table of contents.
Lecture Notes: Unless you are
doing original fieldwork you will
probably have an introduction to
the site by a fieldtrip leader. You
should write down as much of
the information that is given to
you as possible.
Personal Observations: Here
is where you place your own
observations and interpretations.
Always
start
with
the
macroscopic and work down to
the microscopic.
Photolog: Take as many
pictures of important features as
you can and keep a log of each
picture taken – that way you will
know what picture goes where
when you return home. Some
cameras now allow you to “tag”
pics with voice – do so, if
possible!
Time Left: Note the time you left
this location. This will allow you
to puzzle together a history of
how long you spent at the
location and how long travel
times are between sites.
Specimens: If you collected
specimens, list them here. Be
sure to number them and pack
them safely. Label specimens!
Collecting of plants, animals,
rocks, soil, and cultural and
archaeological
objects
is
generally prohibited in State,
City, and National Parks.
Summary: Once you are back
in the car, or back at your base
camp, you should summarize
the important features and
points of each site.
Key Words: At some point in
the future you might want to look
up locations and review what
you learned at each. This is
made easier if you have a list of
keywords at the end of each
entry.
This allows for quick
searches in the future.
Empty Space: Leave this space
blank for future notes. Always
start stops on a new page.