Scenario 1

A researcher is to conduct a focus group with prisoners who are enrolled on a basic skills course. Arrangements have been made with the education department in a maximum-security prison and the researcher turns up at the allotted time. She is searched and has her audio device taken off her, despite assurances from the education department that she would be able to record the focus group. She is escorted to the room where 15 prisoners are waiting. She introduces herself and notices that the prisoners are sitting with arms crossed, looking defensive, angry and rather intimidating. Q : How do you think the researcher should handle this situation? Why do you think the prisoners are being defensive and intimidating? What can the researcher do to gain trust and establish rapport?

Scenario 2

A researcher is to meet with the director of a large finance company to discuss attitudes towards economic growth. It has been made clear that time is limited and the interview will have to take place between important business meetings. Q : How should the researcher prepare for this interview? What can he do to ensure that rapport is established as quickly as possible so that the interview runs smoothly and within the allotted time?

Scenario 3 :

This library is located at the University of Southern California. The staff wanted to know more about who its patrons are, what library resources they find helpful, and whether they are satisfied with the library's services. The goal was to conduct exploratory research for less than $250. A one-page questionnaire was developed, and student workers and library staff would staff a table in prominent locations in the library, and invite library-users to complete the questionnaire.

Q1 : Imagine that you were asked to help prepare for this survey. What fieldwork challenges would you expect to arise in a survey such as this, to be carried out by inexperienced fieldworkers?

Q2 : What training would you recommend for the students and other library staffers conducting this survey? Suggest topics to cover and advice to give these fieldworkers.

Scenario 4 :

An interviewer finds when potential respondents ask how much time the survey will take most refuse if they are told 15 minutes. The interviewer now says 10 minutes and finds that most respondents enjoy answering the questions. Is this the right thing to do?

ANSWER ALL OF THE SCENARIOS ABOVE