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A Dynamic Process Model for Finding Informants and Gaining Access in Qualitative Research

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posted on 2023-08-30, 14:31 authored by Amanda Peticca-Harris, Nadia de Gama, Sara R. S. T. A. Elias
: This article surfaces some of the emotional encounters that may be experienced while trying to gain access and secure informants in qualitative research. Using the children’s game of hopscotch as a metaphor, we develop a dynamic, nonlinear process model of gaining access yielding four elements: study formulation with plans to move forward, identifying potential informants, contacting informants, and interacting with informants during data collection. Underlying each element of the process is the potential for researchers to re-strategize their approach or exit the study. Autobiographical stories about gaining access for our PhD dissertation research are used to flesh out each element of the process, including the challenges we experienced with each element and how we addressed them. We conclude by acknowledging limitations to our study and suggest future and continued areas of research.

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

19

Issue number

3

Page range

376-401

Publication title

Organizational Research Methods

ISSN

1552-7425

Publisher

SAGE

File version

  • Accepted version

Language

  • eng

Legacy posted date

2016-12-07

Legacy creation date

2016-11-15

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

ARCHIVED Lord Ashcroft International Business School (until September 2018)

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