Taking fieldnotes in biology and other natural sciences will differ slightly from those taken in social sciences, as they may be limited to interactions regarding a focal species and/or subject. An example of an ornithological fieldnote was reported by Remsen (1977) regarding a sighting of a Cassin’s sparrow, a relatively rare bird for the region where it was found.[2]
Grinnell method of note-taking[edit]
An important teacher of efficient and accurate note-taking is Joseph Grinnell. The Grinnell technique has been regarded by many ornithologists as one of the best standardized methods for taking accurate fieldnotes.[2]
The technique has four main parts:
- A field-worthy notebook where one records direct observations as they are being observed.
- A larger more substantial journal containing written entries on observations and information, transcribed from the smaller field notebook as soon as possible.
- Species accounts of the notes taken on specific species.
- A catalog to record the location and date of collected specimens.
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