Researching Resignation

Abstract

A key feature of sociological enquiry is the documentation of unintended consequences of action and it is wise to remember this when designing an empirical research project. Once implemented, formal research plans may have to be laid to rest; the size of an interview sample may diminish unexpectedly — people have better things to do than tell you their story; sources of data that initially seemed like a gold mine may render little or nothing of value. Research is usually a messy business (which is not to say that it is unsystematic) and, once this is acknowledged, the real story of research can be told.