Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches

FIELD RESEARCH AND FOCUS GROUP RESEARCH

A field interview involves a mutual sharing of

experiences. You might share your background to

build trust and encourage the informant to open up,

but do not force answers or use leading questions.

You want to encourage and guide a process of

mutual discovery. In her study of youth subculture,

Wilkins (2008:21) says that her own unexpected

pregnancy and single motherhood during her field

research study “changed my social location in sig-

nificant and often unexpected ways,” includ-

ing facilitating her research opportunities with

wannabes (i.e., white teens who acted Puerto

Rican).

In field interviews, members express them-

selves in the forms in which they normally speak,

think, and organize reality. You want to retain mem-

bers’ jokes and narrative stories in their natural

form and not repackage them into a standardized

format. Focus on the member’s perspective and

experiences. To stay close to the member’s experi-

ence, ask questions in terms of concrete examples

or situations—for example, “Could you tell me

things that led up to your quitting in June?” instead

of “Why did you quit your job?”

Field interviews occur in a series over time.

Begin by building rapport and steering conver-

sation away from evaluative or highly sensitive

topics. Avoid probing inner feelings until you

establish intimacy, and even then, expect appre-

hension. After several meetings, you may be able

to probe more deeply into sensitive issues and seek

clarification of less sensitive issues. In later inter-

views, you may return to topics and check past

answers by restating them in a nonjudgmental tone

and asking for verification—for example, “The last

time we talked, you said that you started taking

things from the store after they reduced your pay.

Is that right?”

SUMMARY REVIEW BOX 1

Overview of the Field Research Process

Step 1: Prepare To Enter the Field

Be flexible

Organize

Defocus

Be self-aware

Step 2. Choose a Field Site and Gain Access
Select a site
Deal with gatekeepers
Enter and gain access
Assume a social role
Adopt a level of involvement
Build rapport

Step 3. Apply Strategies
Negotiate
Normalize research
Decide on disclosure
Focus and sample
Assume the attitude of strangeness
Notice social breakdowns
Cope with stress

Step 4. Maintain Relations in the Field
Adjust and adapt

Use charm and nurture trust

Perform small favors

Avoid conflicts

Appear interested

Be the acceptable incompetent

Step 5. Gather and Record Data

Absorb and experience

Watch and listen

Record the data

Types of field notes

1. Jotted notes


2. Direct observation notes


3. Inference notes


4. Analytic memos


5. Personal notes


6. Interview notes


7. Maps, diagrams, and artifacts


8. Machine-recorded data
   Step 6. Exit the Field Site