A STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE OF GAINING ACCESS FOR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Authors

  • Calisto Kondowe Department of Social Development, University of Cape Town
  • Margie Booyens Department of Social Development, University of Cape Town

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15270/50-1-21

Abstract

Listening to lecturers and reading text books, students may think that planning a research project, gaining access to a site and finding willing participants is a straightforward process. On the ground, however, they are confronted with a much messier situation. To deal with the practical realities and the often unforeseen challenges of the particular project, they have to apply their classroom knowledge, develop a range of research skills and learn new attitudes. Gaining access is critical. The success of data gathering depends directly on how easy or difficult it is to access the site and how well the student can build and maintain relationships with the participants and hold them to agreements (De Vos, Strydom, Schulze & Patel, 2011). It is a process with many potential pitfalls (Johl & Renganathan, 2010). Failure to access the study site successfully can put paid to the whole project.

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References

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Published

2014-05-01

How to Cite

Kondowe, C., & Booyens, M. (2014). A STUDENT’S EXPERIENCE OF GAINING ACCESS FOR QUALITATIVE RESEARCH. Social Work/Maatskaplike Werk, 50(1), 146–152. https://doi.org/10.15270/50-1-21

Issue

Vol. 50 No. 1 (2014)

Section

Notes from Practice

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