Ivan Yu, Annotation 5, 10/8/12
Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes (Ch 6) – Processing Field Notes: Coding and Memoing
1. Full citation.
Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes is a book written by Robert Emerson and published by the
University of Chicago Press in 1995. Chapter 6 is entitled “Processing Field Notes: Coding and
Memoing”.
2. Where did/does the author work, what else has s/he written about, and what are her/his
credentials?
Robert Emerson graduated from Brandies University with a Masters and Ph.D. in Sociology. He
currently is a professor in the Department of Sociology in the University of California – Los
Angeles. His research interests are focused on troubles – criminal, domestic – and how they
arise and are reacted to. His other publications include Judging Delinquents: Context and
Process in Juvenile Court and Contemporary Field Research: A Collection of Readings.
3. What are the topics of the text?
The topic of the text is on the importance and process of closed reading, open coding, and
writing initial memos as forms of analysis after the completion of fieldnotes.
4. What is the main argument of the text?
The main argument of the text is that through these different methods of coding and memoing,
the ethnographer is able to ask specific questions about his or her data and able to draw general
theories and themes from the field of study. This makes the data meaningful.
5. Describe at least three ways that the argument is supported.
The argument is supported by explaining the different methods of coding and memoing, giving
specific case study analysis, and providing examples of coding in field notes.
6. What three quotes capture the message of the text?
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“Qualitative analytic coding usually proceeds in two different phases. In open coding
the, ethnographer reads fieldnotes line-by-line to identify and formulate any and all ideas,
themes, or issues they suggest, no matter how varied and disparate, In focused coding the
fieldworker subjects fieldnotes to fine-grained, line-by-line analysis on the basis of topics
that have been identified as of particular interest.” (Emerson)
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“In creating codes, the fieldworker is engaged in an analytic process; she seeks to move
beyond the particular event or situation in the fieldnotes to capture some more general
theoretical dimensions or issue. While it is often useful to begin coding by focusing on a
term in the notes – whether the fieldworker’s or a members – the fieldworker must
transform that term so that it references a more general category.” (Emerson)
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“The goal in fieldwork, then, is to generate theory that grows out of or is relevant to
activities occurring in the setting under study” (Emerson)
7. What three questions about research methods does this article leave you with?
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Is there a method of coding (open, closed, or other) that is preferred or more effective?
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How do you code data that is not written? For example, audio recordings?
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How meaningful does data become when generalized theories and themes are made?
8. What three points, details or references from the text did you follow up on to advance
your understanding of and skill with HASS research methods?
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More examples of coding in fieldnotes
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What computer programs are used for coding.
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What is done with the “meaningful” data.