Qualitative Fieldwork:
Entering the Field or Naturally Occuring Setting/Situation

Begin with:

1. Problem statement

2. Conceptual & theoretical framework

Theoretical frameworks may either narrow, broaden, or change if they are found inadequate to illuminate the deeper meaning of the data collected. You are building on prior research. If the earlier foundation is too narrow or too broad you may need to change.

3. Selection of data collection strategies

4. Selection of purposeful sampling (usually selected after entry into the field - see below)

Entry into the Field

Selection based on:

suitable to the problem statement

feasible for the ethnographer's resources of time, access, and skills

I. Approval to Enter Site

A. Connect with the leadership/authority of the site and after informal discussion make a formal written proposal and ask for its acceptance

B. Disengage from the authority figure(s) when first entering site. Ask that this be allowed, and explain reasons. The authority figure may be a key informant. In that case let this person connect you with the network (snowballing)

II. Mapping

Collect a baseline of social, spatial, and temporal relationships while developing trust and rapport.

III. From Mapping Analyses Select a Purposeful Sample