Why Me? Challenges Associated With Recruiting Participants for a Study Focusing on “Wealthy Men”: Reflections From Fieldwork Conducted in Tanzania

Abstract

It is well-known that conducting research with elite groups presents a range of unique methodological challenges including gaining access to and recruiting a demographic group that is underrepresented if not entirely absent from most research. This issue is particularly pronounced when the research topic is sensitive or potentially politicized and conducted in low-income settings in which large wealth inequalities are apparent. Drawing on recent experiences from fieldwork conducted in Tanzania that aimed to explore attitudes toward HIV testing among wealthy men, we reflect on significant challenges in the recruitment process. These included the framing of the research project, the (often unspoken) politicized subtext of the (sensitive) research, the socioeconomic climate, and the navigation of time requirements. Our experiences suggest that a careful consideration of these methodological issues will help researchers recruit elite participants and ensure that data are collected from appropriate samples.

A win-win scenario? Employers’ responses to HIV in Tanzania: A qualitative study

“…The regional/zonal management roles are standardised organisational roles in the Tanzanian context (similar to roles such as Chief Executive Officer), meaning that the inclusion criteria applied to specific individuals in each organisation that we approached. Throughout the data collection period, a total of 36 potential participants were approached, but due to a range of issues related to the sensitivity of the research, wariness of the research process amongst a population that is very rarely approached in the Tanzanian context, and an increasingly hostile socioeconomic environment in which the Tanzanian administration of the time was engaging in a crackdown on public sector corruption and private sector tax evasion which created suspicion amongst some potential participants about why we wanted to know about the impact of HIV on their organisations, not all those approached agreed to be interviewed [37]. The final sample was comprised of 9 private sector business owners, 7 regional/zonal managers of private sector companies, and 7 public institution regional/zonal managers.…”

Recruiting Men for a Study Exploring First-Time Father’s Involvement in Pregnancy and Childbirth: Reflections From Fieldwork Conducted in Nigeria

“…A researcher reported a situation where he contemplated whether to inform participants about the time required for interviews in a similar cultural context, and suggests telling participants upfront about the amount of time required for each interview and accepting the risk of a shorter interview (Harvey, 2011). Following my experiences and the experience of (Deane et al, 2019), taking the risk was worth it as participants do not appear to be as busy as they claim to be.…”

“…However, I informed them about the length of time to be sure of their availability especially for participants in urban workspaces. For interviewees with entrepreneurial jobs, there was a greater risk of getting a negative affirmation but it was still worth doing (Deane et al, 2019). As with the interview cases at the marketplace, a good initial rapport was required as well as patience with interviewees as they address other urgent issues with their customers in between.…”

HIV testing attitudes and practices amongst 'wealthy men': qualitative evidence from Tanzania

“…This may not be the case during the COVID pandemic 2. For a full review of the challenges of recruiting participants for this study, see Deane et al (2019)…”