Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
The first page of each section is a cover sheet containing purpose, methods, find-
ings, conclusions, and recommendations. This system compels the ethnographer to
clarify the purpose of the task, accurately record the specific methods in use to
explore the topic, and summarize findings and conclusions. In addition, this organi-
zational aid provides a convenient reference throughout the study for recommended
future courses of action. The cover sheet also enables the ethnographer to generate
memoranda or other summary communications to share with colleagues, sponsors,
and people in the field. The memoranda in turn—together with participant
responses—generate the report or ethnography.
The findings section of the cover sheet is cross-referenced to the specific field
notes, photographs, and tape recordings or transcripts that document each finding.
For example, the field notes of an interview represent the raw data. The interview
notes might be accompanied by observational records, matrices, and pictures used
to triangulate the information. These documents or raw data refer back to the sum-
mary sheet for convenience. (The same set of observational notes or interview data
can be used to support a number of findings in other sections of the folders or work
papers.)
The ethnographer can develop new topics that emerge from an initial inves-
tigation of the proposal topics or subsets of existing ones. I use a computer to
maintain and organize many of these records, as discussed in Chapter 4. In many
cases, however, hard copy, as well as photographic records, is essential. This
approach to field note organization reminds the ethnographer of the study's pur-
pose and direction; allows the fieldworker easy access to preliminary findings,
conclusions, and recommendations; and enables others to review the research
effort.
MEMORANDA
Ethnographers produce summaries of the research effort during various stages
of their work. This synthesizing tool helps them gauge progress. In my work
in higher education, I find brief memoranda useful in consolidating my under-
standingofasituation.IsharethemwiththepeopleIamworkingwithandask
for feedback. This interaction places a check on my perceptions before I use
them as a basis for understanding the next stage or development. In addition,
memoranda provide participants with an opportunity to share in the research
process.
Writing memoranda throughout a study also makes report writing much
easier.The ethnographer can draw introductory and background sections from
the proposal that was modified after field experience. The core of the report
