Value

Fieldnotes are extremely valuable for scientists at each step of their training.^[2] In an article on fieldnotes, James Van Remsen Jr. discussed the tragic loss of information from birdwatchers in his study area that could have been taking detailed fieldnotes but neglected to do so. This comment points to a larger issue regarding how often one should be taking fieldnotes. In this case, Remsen was upset because of the multitudes of “eyes and ears” that could have supplied potentially important information for his bird surveys but instead remained with the observers. Scientists like Remsen believe observations can be easily lost if notes are not taken.

Nature phone apps and digital citizen science databases (like eBird) are changing the form and frequency of field data collection and may contribute to de-emphasizing the importance of hand-written notes. Apps may open up new possibilities for citizen science, but taking time to handwrite fieldnotes can help with the synthesis of details that one may not remember as well from data entry in an app. Writing in such a detailed manner may contribute to the personal growth of a scientist.^[2]

Nigel Rapport, an anthropological field writer, said that fieldnotes are filled with the conventional realities of “two forms of life”: local and academic. The lives are different and often contradictory but are often brought together through the efforts of a “field writer”.^[5] The academic side refers to one’s professional involvements, and fieldnotes take a certain official tone. The local side reflects more of the personal aspects of a writer and so the fieldnotes may also relate more to personal entries.