Stories from the Field: Collecting Data Outside Over There

Abstract

In recent years there has been increased attention to the value of qualitative research and the methods for conducting that research in a rigorous manor. We now have available excellent discussions of issues of design (King, Keohane, and Verba 1994; Yin 1994), data collection (Douglas 1985; McCracken 1988; Spradley 1979; Spradley 1980), and analysis (Feldman 1995; Miles and Huberman 1994; Silverman 1993; Strauss 1987). My interest in this chapter is on data collection.