Steps That Would Be Necessary to Gain Access to a Formal Organization for the Doing Field Research - Essay Example

Since most researchers are viewed as outsiders, the first step should be an attempt to gain trust and acceptance from one or two of the top officials in the organization. Friends, contact persons, or academics may play a crucial role in assisting a researcher to gain the support of someone within the organization who will act as the researcher’s champion (Johl & Renganathan, 2010, p. 42). Although a researcher may secure an agreement with someone in the lower ranks of an organization, it is important to access the top management for clearance to carry out their investigations in the organization. Clearance to conduct the investigations from the top management can be achieved through a formal letter, outlining the study purpose, targeted informants and action requests (Maxfield & Babbie, 2011, p. 196). This can also be secured through organized meetings in which the researcher briefs the management about the research intentions before seeking formal permission to conduct the investigations.