Essentials of Field Relationships

"...In this concise and well-written little volume authors Kaler and Beres demystify fieldwork and render it accessible to all. Those following a strict disciplinary approach will find it as thorough as those intending to follow a more generic one, and the many examples of fieldworkers-in-action illustrate the flexibility of the approach."...- Harry F. Wolcott, Emeritus, University of Oregon "...Qualitative studies are all about relationships. In this concise, beginner-friendly book, Amy Kaler and Melanie Beres provide sound advice to help the reader negotiate the complexities of interpersonal relations in fieldwork. Using their own experiences and those of other seasoned researchers, they offer practical suggestions that could spell the difference between success and failure of a project."...- Maria J. Mayan, University of Alberta, author of Essentials of Qualitative Inquiry "...The book is clearly written and well documented, and provides an abundance of journal references and books for further study. Both experienced and student researchers will benefit from its directions and advice. Summing Up: Recommended."...- J. P. Hester, CHOICE It is certainly a real strength of Kaler and Beres' and their flexible approach represents a realistic but gentle introduction to the complexities and actualities of carrying out qualitative research. The individual chapters are well organized and introduce a range of relevant topics pitched at just the right level for those who are embarking on qualitative fieldwork for the first time. They are also peppered with lessons from the field' sections in which the authors and other seasoned researchers offer brief asides drawn from a broad range of projects in which they reflect on some of the issues and difficulties that they have faced or resolved in the course of carrying out their own fieldwork. These are very useful and help bring the discussions to life.--David Evans, Qualitative Research