Preliminary field-work: methodological reflections from northern Canadian research

Abstract

In the Canadian North researchers of all disciplines are increasingly finding that local communities are neither uninterested nor ignorant of the potential for research to benefit their communities. We propose preliminary field-work as the early stages of research in the field that allow for exploration, reflexivity, creativity, mutual exchange and interaction through the establishment of research relationships with local people often prior to the development of research protocols and ethics applications. Based on a review of field research literature combined with our own personal research narratives from northern Canadian community research, we initiate a much needed discussion on the topic of preliminary field-work in order to understand more clearly its functions and contributions. We reflect on and examine our own experiences providing methodological guidance to other researchers who are contemplating community-based field research. Preliminary fieldwork acknowledges the increasingly intertwined standards of research quality, integrity and broader research ethics.

Adaptive Co-Management and Grizzly Bear-Human Conflicts in Two Northern Canadian Aboriginal Communities

“…The two case studies presented here were not explicitly developed in that way but were part of a larger project conducted with early and ongoing community input for another northern case study (Clark 2007). Consequently the research relationships built in Aklavik and Baker Lake did benefit from an applied understanding of such emerging best practices (e.g., Caine et al 2009;Gearheard and Shirley 2007;ITK and NRI 2007;Pearce et al 2009;Wolfe et al 2011).…”

Conducting a pilot study: case study of a novice researcher

“…In addition, Arain et al (2010: 6) advocated that: 'Publishing the results of a well conducted pilot study is important for research, irrespective of outcome.' However, despite the usefulness of pilot studies, the literature discussing pilot work in qualitative research is limited (Caine et al, 2009;Kim, 2011). This may be owing to the fact that a pilot study produces viability outcomes rather than health outcomes.…”

“…However, it is recommended to further extend the scope of pilot studies beyond data collection to examine negotiating of entry and orientation to the research site, and the transcription and analysis processes (Guest and MacQueen, 2008;Pritchard and Whiting, 2012). This would allow for exploration, reflexivity, creativity, mutual exchange and interaction through examining the establishment of research relationships (Caine et al, 2009). Sampson (2004) highlighted the significance of preliminary fieldwork in considering broader and important issues such as research validity, ethics, representation and researcher health and safety.…”

“…Sampson (2004) highlighted the significance of preliminary fieldwork in considering broader and important issues such as research validity, ethics, representation and researcher health and safety. This suggests a qualitative pilot study provides the researcher with introductions to unknown worlds through the researcher engaging in reflexivity (Caine et al, 2009;Pritchard, 2011;Pritchard and Whiting, 2012).…”

Narrating Developmental Disability: Researchers, Advocates, and the Creation of an Interview Space in the Context of University-Community Partnerships

“…Although researchers generally partner with organizations or groups which can act as gatekeepers to populations that are otherwise isolated (Benoit et al, 2005;Caine, Davidson, & Stewart, 2009;Kingsley, Phillips, Townsend, & Henderson-Wilson, 2010), interaction between researchers and participants is by no means strictly defined on the basis of tensions or misunderstandings between in-group and out-group members. This paper examines researcher collaboration in a pilot project with a community advocacy organization that works on behalf of parents with developmental disabilities.…”