Strategies for Gaining Access to Organisations and Informants in Qualitative Studies

Autor/inn/en	Shenton, Andrew K.; Hayter, Susan
Titel	Strategies for Gaining Access to Organisations and Informants in Qualitative Studies
Quelle	In: Education for Information, 22 (2004) 3-4, S.223-231 (9 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0167-8329
Schlagwörter	Qualitative Research; Research Methodology; Cooperation; Researchers; Field Studies; Organizations (Groups); Participation; Ethnography + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Qualitative Forschung; Research method; Forschungsmethode; Co-operation; Kooperation; Researcher; Forscher; Praxisforschung; Teilnahme; Ethnografie
Abstract	One of the most fundamental tasks relating to the undertaking of fieldwork for a qualitative research study lies in "gaining access". This involves both securing entry into a particular organisation and ensuring that individuals associated with it, such as employees or users, will serve as informants. In terms of the first problem, a range of strategies that may be adopted by the investigator is highlighted in this paper. The methods include using endorsements from "authorities", gradually phasing one's entry into the organisation, offering benefits of some kind to managers in the event of their cooperation, responding to gatekeepers' concerns honestly, demonstrating one's suitability for entry in terms of professional background and experience, and remaining receptive to managers' suggestions for the study. To encourage the cooperation of those associated with the organisation, the researcher may well favour a policy of prolonged engagement, seek to blend in with the community, offer incentives where appropriate and acknowledge openly the value of informants' contributions. These strategies are considered in detail. The article also stresses the importance of gaining the approval of any "third parties" that may be responsible for the welfare of those people whom the researcher has targeted as informants. (Author).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10