Abstract
This chapter discusses the purpose of the book, which is to focus on the process and challenges of conducting research in Africa. The chapter argues that as more and more doctoral researchers, beyond the discipline of anthropology, choose to carry out fieldwork on the African continent, the rise in publications on the findings of such research has far surpassed the rather slender body of literature that focuses on the research process itself. The chapter highlights the ways in which the current volume offers assistance to researchers approaching the field for the first time. The chapter concludes with an overview of the nine chapters included in the book.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Agar, M. (2006). An Ethnography by Any Other Name. Forum: Qualitative Social Research Socialforschung, 7(4). http://www.qualitative-research.net/index.php/fqs/article/view/177. Accessed December 15, 2017.
Banks, J. (1998). The Lives and Values of Researchers: Implications for Educating Citizens in a Multicultural Society. Educational Researcher, 27(7), 4–17.
Bourdieu, P. (1977). Outline of a Theory of Practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Cargo, M., & Mercer, S. (2008). The Value and Challenges of Participatory Research: Strengthening Its Practice. Annual Review of Public Health, 29, 325–350.
Cotterill, P. (1992). Interviewing Women: Issues of Friendship, Vulnerability and Power. Women’s Studies International Forum, 15, 593–606.
Dwyer, S., & Buckle, J. L. (2009). The Space Between: On Being an Insider-Outsider in Qualitative Research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 8(1), 54–63.
England, K. (1994). Getting Personal: Refexivity, Positionality, and Feminist Research. Professional Geographer, 46(1), 80–89.
Glucksmann, M. (1994). The Work of Knowledge and the Knowledge of Women’s Work. In M. Maynard & J. Purvis (Eds.), Researching Women’s Lives From a Feminist Perspective (pp. 149–165). London: Taylor & Francis.
Harrowell, E., Davies, T., & Disney, T. (2018). Making Space for Failure in Geographic Research. The Professional Geographer, 70(2), 230–238.
Jackson, M. (2010). From Anxiety to Method in Anthropological Fieldwork: An Appraisal of George Devereux’s Enduring Ideas. In J. Davies & D. Spencer (Eds.), Emotions in the Field: The Psychology and Anthropology of Fieldwork Experience (pp. 35–45). Redwood City, CA: Stanford University Press.
Jones, P. J., & Evans, J. (2011). Creativity and Project Management: A Comic. ACME: An International E-Journal for Critical Geographies, 10(3), 585–632.
Kay, R., & Oldfield, J. (2011). Emotional Engagements With the Field: A View from Area Studies. Europe-Asia Studies, 63(7), 1275–1293.
Madge, C. (1993). Boundary Disputes: Comments on Sidaway (1992). Area, 25, 294–299.
Mandiyanike, D. (2009). The Dilemma of Conducting Research Back in Your Own Country as a Returning Student: Reflections of Research Fieldwork in Zimbabwe. Area, 41, 64–71.
McDowell, L. (1992). Doing Gender: Feminism, Feminists and Research Methods in Human Geography. Transactions, Institute of British Geographers, 17, 399–416.
Merriam, S. B., Johnson-Bailey, J., Lee, M.-Y., Kee, Y., Ntseane, G., & Muhamad, M. (2001). Power and Positionality: Negotiating Insider/Outsider Status Within and Across Cultures. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 20(5), 405–416.
Merton, R. (1972). Insiders and Outsiders: A Chapter in the Sociology of Knowledge. American Journal of Sociology, 78(1), 9–47.
Meyer, S. (2007). From Horror Story to Manageable Risk: Formulating Safety Strategies for Peace Researchers. Thesis for Master Degree Programme in Peace and Conflict Transformation, Centre for Peace Studies, Faculty of Social Science, University of Tromsø, Norway.
Nilan, P. (2002). ‘Dangerous Fieldwork’ Re-examined: The Question of Researcher Subject Position. Qualitative Research, 2(3), 363–386.
Pike, K. (1967). Language in Relation to a Unified Theory of the Structures of Human Behavior (2nd ed.). The Hague: Mouton.
Rancatore, J. (2010). It Is Strange. Millennium: Journal of International Studies, 39(1), 65–77.
Rose, G. (1997). Situating Knowledges: Positionality, Reflexivities and Other Tactics. Progress in Human Geography, 21(3), 305–320.
Serrant-Green, L. (2002). Black on Black: Methodological Issues for Black Researchers Working in Minority Ethnic Communities. Nurse Researcher, 9(4), 30–44.
Shore, C. (2010). Beyond the Multiversity: Neoliberalism and the Rise of the Schizophrenic University. Social Anthropology, 18(1), 15–29.
Thomson, S., Ansoms, A., & Murison, J. (2013). Introduction: Why Stories Behind the Findings? In S. Thomson, A. Ansoms, & J. Murison (Eds.), Emotional and Ethical Challenges for Field Research in Africa: The Story Behind the Findings (pp. 1–11). Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2019 The Author(s)
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Johnstone, L. (2019). Introduction: Conducting Fieldwork in Africa. In: Johnstone, L. (eds) The Politics of Conducting Research in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95531-5_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95531-5_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-95530-8
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-95531-5
eBook Packages: Political Science and International StudiesPolitical Science and International Studies (R0)