Experiencing Fieldwork: An Inside View of Qualitative Research

Abstract

Introduction PART ONE: GETTING IN Playing Back the Tape - John Van Maanen Early Days in the Field Sponsors, Gatekeepers, Members and Friends - Robert G Burgess Access in Educational Settings Female Researchers in Male-Dominated Settings - Joan Neff Gurney Implications for Short-Term Versus Long-Term Research Experiencing Research on New Religions and Cults - James T Richardson Practical and Ethical Considerations Managing a Convincing Self-Presentation - William Shaffir Some Personal Reflections on Entering the Field PART TWO: LEARNING THE ROPES A Walk Through the Wilderness - David M Fetterman Learning to Find Your Way Secrecy and Disclosure in Fieldwork - Richard G Mitchell Jr The Researcher Talks Back - Christine Griffin Dealing With Power Relations in Studies of Young People's Entry to the Job Market Encountering the Marketplace - Robert Prus Achieving Intimate Familiarity with Vendor Activity Recognizing and Analyzing Local Cultures - Jaber F Gubrium PART THREE: MAINTAINING RELATIONS Field Relations and the Discourse of the Other - Peter McLaren Collaboration in Our Own Ruin Maintaining Relationships in a School for the Deaf - A Donald Evans Stability and Flexibility - Patricia A Adler and Peter Adler Maintaining Relations Within Organized and Unorganized Groups Fieldworkers' Feelings - Sherryl Kleinman What We Feel, Who We Are, How We Analyze Fragile Ties - Ramona M Asher and Gary Alan Fine Shaping Research Relationships with Women Married to Alcoholics PART FOUR: LEAVING AND KEEPING IN TOUCH High Risk Methodology - Daniel Wolff Reflections on Leaving an Outlaw Society Leaving, Revisiting, and Staying in Touch - Charles P Gallmeier Neglected Issues in Field Research Gone Fishing, Be Back Later - Ilene M Kaplan Ending and Resuming Research Among Fishermen Leaving the Field - Steven J Taylor Research, Relationships, and Responsibilities Do We Ever Leave the Field? Notes on Secondary Fieldwork Involvements - Robert A Stebbins