Definition: Recording Formats and Strategies
The term „recording“ is used here in a broad sense: it encompasses both the open format of field notes, in which field researchers document what they have observed, heard, inquired about, and experienced, as well as the elaboration of these notes into complex protocols. It also includes the entry of specific information (e.g., census surveysThe term census (from Latin census) refers to population censuses, i.e., comprehensive surveys of a country's population. Over 2,000 years ago, similar censuses were conducted every five years in the Roman Empire to gather information about population structure and wealth distribution. In 2022, Germany conducted a register-based census (i.e., relying on official registry data), supplemented by a sample survey and a building and housing survey. Read More, time allocation studiesA time allocation study systematically measures the amount of time individuals spend on specific tasks and activities. These studies examine how people budget their time in various social and cultural contexts. For example, they explore how the division of labor in productive and reproductive activities is organized across genders and generations: How much time per day do mothers, fathers, older siblings, grandparents, and others spend caring for young children? How much time is allocated by whom to economic activities, caregiving tasks, or neighborhood interactions? Various methods are used to measure time budgeting, generating quantitative and replicable datasets. Read More) into pre-structured data collection forms.