Surveying Fieldwork

Field Notes
Constitute the only reliable and permanent
record of actual work done in the field.
If notes are incorrect or incompletely done
time, money and effort in data gathering are
wasted.
The quality of field work is reflected directly in
the manner he keeps his field record.
Field notes become the official record of the
survey.

Field Notes
Types of Field Notes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Sketches
Tabulations
Explanatory notes
Computations
Combination

Field Notes
Information Found in Fieldbooks:
1.
2.
3.
4.

Title or Name of the Project

Time of Day and Date
Weather Conditions
Names of Group Members and Their
Designations
5. List of Equipment

Recording Observed Data

To eliminate common mistakes in note keeping,
the following guide points are given:
1. Follow a consistent simple style of writing.
2. Use of sharp pencil.
3. Record directly in the field book immediately
following a measurement, rather than on a sheet of
scratch paper for copying.

Recording Observed Data

4. Do not erase recorded data. If a number has
been recorded incorrectly, a line is run through it
without destroying its legibility and the correct
value is written above the mistake. If entire page is
to be deleted, diagonal lines are drawn from
opposite corners and VOID is lettered
prominently.
5. Avoid crowding observed data.
6. Always bring along a straight edge for ruling
lines, and a small protractor for laying off angles.

Recording Observed Data

7. To avoid misinterpretation of data, use sketches
other than tabulations. Also use explanatory notes.
8. Indicate north at the top of the page of the field
notebook for all sketches shown in plan and draw
a meridian arrow.
9. Tabulated values should be kept inside the
column rulings, with the decimal point and digits
aligned vertically. Notes should not be made to
appear either more precise or less precise than they
really are.

Recording Observed Data

10. Computations made in the field should be
recorded in the field notebook in order that they
can be checked later. The checks are necessary to
determine if there is a need to repeat a particular
observation or measurement.
11. Number every page of the field notebook.
There should be no doubt with regard to the
correct sequence of recorded field data.

Survey Party
Chief of Party
Assistant Chief of
Party
Instrument man
Technician
Data processor
Recorder
Head Tapeman

Rear Tapeman
Flagman
Rodman
Pacer
Axeman or Lineman
Aidman
Utilitymen

Survey Hand Signals

An arm and hand signal is any gesture or
motion that conveys information or gives
a command, direction or warning.
Usually employed due to the difficulty to
communicate verbally in the field due to
distance, wind conditions, and
surrounding noise.

Care and Handling of

Instruments
Know how to use the instrument.
Always place them in stable grounds when in
use.
Place them properly in their container.
Do not use them if weather does not permit.
Check their functionality before and after field
work.

Care and Handling of

Instruments
If wet, dry them by carefully wiping excess
water and do not put them immediately in their
storage or container.
Carry the instrument properly
Be mindful of the surrounding when
transporting any equipment.
Avoid playing with the instrument.
Always make sure that the equipment is secure.