Description

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Field research--the collection of information outside a lab or workplace setting--requires skills and knowledge not typically taught in the classroom. Fieldwork demands exploratory inquisitiveness, empathy to encourage interviewees to trust the researcher, and sufficient aptitude to work professionally and return home safely. The Field Researcher's Handbook provides a practical guide to planning and executing fieldwork and presenting the results.

Based on his experience conducting field research in more than fifty countries and teaching others a holistic approach to field research, David J. Danelo introduces the skills new researchers will need in the field, including anthropology, travel logistics planning, body language recognition, interview preparation, storytelling, network development, and situational awareness. His time as a combat veteran in the US Marine Corps further enhances his knowledge of how to be observant and operate safely in any environment. Danelo also discusses ethical considerations and how to recognize personal biases. This handbook is intended for researchers in a variety of academic disciplines but also for government, think-tank, and private-sector researchers.

About the Author

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David J. Danelo is the Director of Field Research for the Foreign Policy Research Institute. and an adjunct professor at the University of Texas at El Paso's National Security Studies Institute. He is a graduate of the US Naval Academy and served seven years as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps. Since leaving active duty, Danelo has served as a senior US government policy executive, written three books including The Return: A Field Manual for Life after Combat, and has conducted field research in over fifty countries.