Access

Consistent with qualitative epistemologies, the researcher needs to view a broad dynamic of the participants as they interact in professional and/or personal environments. It is a close look at the lived experiences of the participants. Because qualitative research typically involves working with human subjects in media such as face-to-face interviews, on-site observations, and written communications, it is essential that the researcher understand how to appropriately gain access to the intended participants. Access can be defined as the appropriate ethical and academic practices used to gain entry to a given community for the purposes of conducting formal research. This entry explores the key issues related to gaining access to participants in qualitative research.

The first and most important consideration in gaining access to research participants in qualitative research is to do no harm. It is essential that any intended qualitative research receive the appropriate formal research ethics clearance from the researcher's home institutional review board or research ethics board. While reviewing the proposal, this board will make sure that access to participants includes a review of considerations such as estimation of risk/harm, sites of data collection, recruitment of participants, benefits to participants, confidentiality, consent process, and procedures for participant withdrawal. In most cases, the consent form (if appropriate for a particular study) that is derived from this review process is the first and most direct line of access to participants, as it is used to request formally their involvement in the study. Following these formal procedures ensures that access to the participants is ethically sound and protects their psychological, physical, and/or professional welfare.

Another process that may be involved in gaining access to some participants is to go through the proper community or organizational lines of authority. For example, when working with public schools, clearance can come from the district's central administration. In these cases, most districts will allow only a certain number of research studies to be conducted in their area per year. Similar research access models exist in the health care industry as well. Cultural factors also need to be considered. For example, when conducting research on Aboriginal communities, the researcher can consider speaking with tribal elders to gain access to members of the community. When conducting research on religious issues, access to participants may be granted only through leaders, whose attendance may be required during some research, for example, when women are being interviewed. Another consideration for access is related to conducting research in foreign territories. If research is being conducted on participants such as military personnel or government representatives in politically unstable countries, it is essential that the researcher acquire the appropriate government clearance prior to conducting the research. Gaining access through organizational or governmental lines of authority should be a matter of consideration in the research design.

Gatekeepers are another means of access in qualitative research. Gatekeepers are individuals who can be used as an entry point to a specific community. Gatekeepers will have “inside” information that can help the researcher in determining who are the best participants to access in the given community or organization. Gatekeepers can also help the researcher to access the community through introductions and by establishing a relaxed or appropriate environment for the research process. For example, a gatekeeper who chairs a geology department composed of 10 professors can help the researcher to narrow the participant list to 3 people who are most appropriate for the goals of the study. This chair can also introduce the researcher to the participants and then provide access to a comfortable and private room where the interviews can be conducted. Another example is an internet chat room moderator, who will have knowledge about the privacy level of the site and how best to obtain consent from the participants.

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