Use a tape recorder or video camera to record the interview or session. Check the time and make notations in a notebook. Include a brief description of specific events next to the listed time. For example, if one child is hit in the head with a ball during an observation of children playing in the schoolyard, record: "10:12 a.m. Boy hit in head." If the camcorder imprints the date and time, this manual recording is not necessary.
Make anecdotal notes during interviews with subjects. It is preferable to use a tape recorder rather than record in longhand or type what is said. Include additional observations about the behavior of the subject in the anecdotal comments. For example, if the body language of the interviewee demonstrates discomfort, record what you see: "At 3:06 p.m., Subject X fidgets; he scratches his arm several times and his face reddens. ..."
Transcribe all recordings. It is possible to rely on the audio and video recordings for partial analysis of the data, but a written transcription is necessary for in-depth analysis. Patterns of speech, repeated phrases and recurring themes can be identified by using specialized data analysis software.
Keep all original notes, tapes and other pieces of supporting evidence gathered during the research. Develop a storage system organized either by subject or date. Label the storage containers to enable easy retrieval of the data later.