Pre-observation – Issues to consider
Topic 2: Data Collection

Gatekeepers/Gaining Access
  • Get to know the site(s)
  • Don’t assume access even if you know someone
  • Review the IRB section of Navigating the Dissertation to ensure you have also contacted the right people in the district/organization to obtain appropriate approvals for your study. 
Some questions to ask yourself during this process:
  1. What are the different levels of approval I need before I can begin data collection? Who are the stakeholders from whom I need approval?
  2. Who are the gatekeepers (formal and informal) I need to contact?
  3. What power relations, if any, exist among and between these gatekeepers? In what order should I contact them?
  4. Am I aligned with any of these people? Does this alignment give me an advantage or is it a disadvantage? Or is it both depending on the gatekeeper? 
Reflect on the above questions and write a plan for how you will gain access to your site(s) and/or participant(s).

Maintaining Access
  • Access is never full and complete
  • Access as a continuous process
  • Being helpful to participants at your site is one way to maintain access.
Think of ways you can help the participants in your site(s). Brainstorm a list of ideas for being helpful, gaining and maintaining rapport. Note: you may have different strategies for different participants/stakeholder groups.
 
Logistics of Data Collection in Research Sites
  • Learn about the site(s)’ policies and procedures and follow them
    • Do you need a visitor’s badge?
    • Is there a dress code?
  • How will the way you dress affect who you are aligned with?
  • Consider where/when to collect data
    • Do you have access to these places?
    • What places and times are convenient for people to observe/interview? (i.e., observing during testing is not a good idea)
    • What places and times are appropriate to interview people? (i.e., private room is not appropriate for underage youth)
  • Consider how you want to be portrayed by the participants
  • Consider how you will respond to questions. What you will say to people when you are asked what you are writing down/doing?
Write down a neutral, one sentence summary of your study that is appropriate for sharing with many of the stakeholders. Also, write down what you will say if/when someone asks you what you are writing down.
 
Recruitment
  • The following are examples of interview recruitment and introduction scripts. You might use these to guide the development of your scripts before you submit to IRB for approval.