A. Contact Surnmary Sheet • Si

The supplementary methods are illustrated in boxes, with brief explanations. The aim is to suggest simple methods that can be used in conjunction with the main method being discussed. The forma varios, but usually has a brief statement of the sorts of problema the method can help with, plus a brief exhibit or illustration of the method and concluding advice.

Our Assumptions About "Data'.

For the methods in this and following chapters, we as-sume that the field-worker has collected information in the form of handwritten or typed field notes,' notes dictated a fter field contact, or tape recordings of interviews or other events in the field setting. In al! cases, we are focusing on words as the basic form in which the data are found.2

We further assume that the basic, raw data (the seri bbled field notes, the dictated tapes, the dire,ct tape recordings) must he processed before they are available for analysis. Field notes must be converted loto "wríte-ups," either typed directly or transcribed from dictation. A writc-up is an intelligible product for anyone, not just for the fieldworker, ft can be read, edited for accuracy, commented on, coded, and analyzed using any of the methods we are about to describe.

Raw field notes are usually fairly illegible and

eontain private abbreviations. They are also sketchy. Field notes taken during an interview usually contain half or lesa of the actual content. Notes made afterward are even worse. Rut a write-up usually will add back some of the miss ing content because the raw field notes, when reviewed, stimulate the field-worker te remember things said at that time that are not in the notes? Such additions should, of course, be marked to guard against bias. Transcribed dictation is subject to the same son of prccessing.

Direct tape recordings of field events also must be processed in some way. For example, the field-worker listens to or watches the tape, males notes, selecta excerpts, and makes judgments or ratings. More typically, the tape is transcnibed into text. This process, however, is fraught with slippage; it is dependent on the knowledgeability and skill of the transcribing person. Note, too, that transcripts can be done at different levels of detall, from the "uhs," "ers," pauses, word emphases, mispronunciations, and in-complete sentences of an apparently incoherent speaker (whose facial expressions, explanatory gestures, and tone of voice cannot be typed up), to a smooth, apparently straightforward summary of the main ideas presentad by the speaker.4

ODTÜ IIÜTIIPHANESt VIEW LIBRARY

So we are focusing on words as the basic medium, and are assuming that the words involved have been refined from raw notes or tapc recordings into a text that is clear to the reader or anatyst. Note, however, that thís text may be reduced and simplified considerably from the raw events.

Now, on to the methods. They are arranged roughly from earlier to later in data collection and from simple to complex. Beginning with the contact summary sheet, a simple way to summarize time-limitad data, we proceed through first-level coding, second-level or pattern codes, and the process of deriving even more general themes called mernoing. As more and more data pile up, the case analysis meeting and the interim case summary are crucial for understanding. The vignette presenta focused, timelimited information on ene or several episodes. The pre-structured case is an economice] way of integrating case data.

We conclude this chapter with a section en sequential analysis, illustrating how methods of this sort can follow each other in a flow over time.

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After a field contact (from one to severa! days) and the production of write-ups, diere is often a need to pause and ponder: What were the main concepts, themes, issues, and questions that I saw during this contact? Without such reflection, it is easy to get lost in a welter of detall. And communicating important things about a contact te one's colleagues is essential for any project with more than one field-worker.

Brief Description

A contact summary is a single sheet with some focusing or surnmarizing questions about a particular field contact. The field-worker reviews the written-up field notes and answers each question briefly to develop an oyeran summary of the main points in the contact.

Ifiustration

Deciding on the questions. The main thing here ís being clear about what you (en your colleagues) need to know now about a particular field contad, with a write-up that may tun to dozens of pages. Which questions will go ro the essence of the data set? Here are some possible questions:

What people, events, or situations were involved? What Mere the main themes or issues fn the contact? Which researeh questions and which variables in the initial frarnework did die contact bear on most centrally?

What new hypotheses, speculatfons, or htmehes about the field situations were suggested by the contact?