Since field notes are legal documents and we do not erase anything, how do we mark corrections?

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Multiple Choice

Since field notes are legal documents and we do not erase anything, how do we mark corrections?

Field notes are legal records, so any correction must preserve the original entry and provide a clear, auditable trail of what changed. The best approach is to draw a single line through the mistake so the original text remains legible, then write the corrected text above the line. This keeps both the original wording and the correction visible in one place, maintaining transparency and accountability in the record. It’s common to initial and date the correction as well, reinforcing who made the change and when. Alternatives like erasing, scratching out, or tearing out pages destroy the traceability of the record, and placing corrections on a separate page separates changes from the original context, which can lead to confusion or disputes about what was recorded.

Field notes are legal records, so any correction must preserve the original entry and provide a clear, auditable trail of what changed. The best approach is to draw a single line through the mistake so the original text remains legible, then write the corrected text above the line. This keeps both the original wording and the correction visible in one place, maintaining transparency and accountability in the record. It’s common to initial and date the correction as well, reinforcing who made the change and when. Alternatives like erasing, scratching out, or tearing out pages destroy the traceability of the record, and placing corrections on a separate page separates changes from the original context, which can lead to confusion or disputes about what was recorded.

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