Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes

Article number 10172889

The second edition of Writing Ethnographic Fieldnotes by Emerson, Fretz, and Shaw provides practical guidance for crafting effective fieldnotes in any research setting. Drawing on actual unfinished notes, the authors illustrate methods to compose, review, and refine fieldnotes into polished ethnographic accounts. The text explores structures of description, techniques for capturing dialogue, movement, mood, and sensory detail, and emphasizes the art of transforming observation into compelling narrative. New in this edition are expanded sections on coding software, gender/race dynamics, and examples of revised first drafts—making it a vital resource for contemporary researchers and students.