Fieldnotes

Learning Goal: I’m working on a sociology case study and need the explanation and answer to help me learn.

  • Jottings can be typed or handwritten. (If handwritten, scan or take a photo of them and upload the resulting image file below as a jpg or jpeg.)
  • Detailed SPEAKING model typed and uploaded in a .doc or .docx file
  • Audio recording should be in a digital file. If it’s too large to upload it to Canvas, add it to your Dropbox, Google Drive, or other cloud hosting site and send me a link to download the file.
  • Transcription should be typed with the annotation conventions from page 156 in the book. Make sure to write down at what times in the recording (0:55 or 18:20, for instance) you have begun your transcriptions.
  • All participants must sign the release form before the recording begins. You may scan or photograph the release form and upload the image file below as a jpg or jpeg.
  • Fieldnotes should be two to three pages long, typed, double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point font with one-inch margins, uploaded in a .doc or .docx format.

The Assignment

You have already done one set of fieldnotes for your greetings assignment. Just as with the greetings assignment, you should make jottings and careful observations about what goes on. This time, however, you will know the people involved and have data (a recording) you can review. You will also need to have your informants sign a release form.

The interaction you tape should be about 30 to 60 minutes long. After the interaction, you will focus on just 3 to 5 minutes where the conversation is lively and where issues of power, identity, values, or other interesting features of the interaction come through. These minutes do not have to be continuous—feel free to transcribe from different parts of your recording.

Transcribe those 3 to 5 minutes word for word. You must also mark the transcriptions with the conventions listed on page 156 of your textbook to capture other features of the interaction. Make sure to give yourself a lot of time for the transcription. A good transcription usually requires you to listen to the tape many times. This will take several hours. You will be graded on the accuracy and detail of your transcription.

Your 2 to 3 page fieldnotes should provide a thick description of the interaction similar to the one you wrote for the greetings assignment. Remember to focus on why things are happening as well as what is happening. What are the patterns you decided to focus on in your transcription (interruption, joking, insults, swearing, conversational signals, etc.)? What do you think those patterns suggest about the social business of the participants, how they express their identities and values or cultivate power? Refer to at least one article we have read in the textbook and use direct quotations from your transcript.

Are you struggling with your paper? Let us handle it - WE ARE EXPERTS!

Whatever paper you need - we will help you write it

Get started

Starts at $9 /page

How our paper writing service works

It's very simple!

  • Fill out the order form

    Complete the order form by providing as much information as possible, and then click the submit button.

  • Choose writer

    Select your preferred writer for the project, or let us assign the best writer for you.

  • Add funds

    Allocate funds to your wallet. You can release these funds to the writer incrementally, after each section is completed and meets your expected quality.

  • Ready

    Download the finished work. Review the paper and request free edits if needed. Optionally, rate the writer and leave a review.