A Dynamic Process Model for Finding Informants and Gaining Access in Qualitative Research
以儿童跳房子游戏为隐喻，提出一个动态、非线性的过程模型，包含研究规划、识别潜在信息提供者、联系信息提供者及数据收集中的互动四个要素，并探讨每个要素中研究者可能遇到的挑战及应对策略。
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.