What belongs in a notebook correction?

Preserve the original record

Correct a field notebook so that the earlier writing remains readable. Draw a single line through an error rather than obscuring it, and place the corrected text nearby or in a dated note with a clear reference to the page. This preserves the sequence of the record and prevents a later reader from mistaking a retrospective change for something written at the site. The original may matter when someone is tracing how an identification, measurement, or interpretation developed. Avoid erasing, covering, or silently rewriting a value in a way that removes that history.

Date and identify the change

Add the date of correction and, where multiple people share the notebook, identify who made it. Say what changed and point to the original entry. A useful note might say: “Corrected 18 June: the image number was transcribed as 041; camera file confirms 014.” That tells the reader that the observation itself has not changed, only the link to its image. If the reason is uncertain, say so. A correction should provide enough context for someone to understand the edit without reconstructing the field day from memory.

Distinguish transcription from interpretation

Some corrections fix a copying mistake; others revise what the observer thinks the evidence means. Treat them differently. A corrected unit, time, or image reference may be a transcription change, supported by an original instrument display or file. A revised species identification is an interpretive update and should state the new evidence or reference that prompted it. For example: “Revised identification after viewing underside in image 014; original field label retained as tentative.” This wording makes clear that the first note accurately records the earlier uncertainty rather than an error in transcription.

Link revisions to their evidence

When a correction affects a measurement, identification, or comparison, record the basis and any downstream records that need attention. If the exact original value is no longer recoverable, do not invent one; mark it as corrected or unresolved. For digital transcriptions, keep a change log or version history that points back to the notebook page. A careful correction maintains trust because readers can see what was written, what changed, when, and why. The aim is not to make a notebook look flawless; it is to keep its evidence and its later interpretation traceable.

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