IQMR 2026

Designing and Conducting Fieldwork (Modules 27, 31, 35)

Wednesday, June 24; Thursday, June 25; Friday, June 26

Eggers Hall, Room 010

Diana Kapiszewski (Georgetown University), Lauren M. MacLean (Northeastern University), and Rob Mickey (University of Michigan)

This module sequence discusses strategies for designing, planning, and conducting fieldwork in the social sciences. We begin by considering the multiple aspects of preparing for field research, and then discuss some practical elements — with intellectual implications — of operating in the field. On the second day we consider several “more-interactive” forms of data collection: surveys, focus groups, and interviews, and also consider the types of observation in which all social scientists who conduct field research engage. The third module considers the conduct of archival research, and the various ways in which scholars iterate on their research design and field research design as they conduct fieldwork. Each session of each module is taught with the understanding that participants have carefully read the assigned materials. The instructors present key points drawing on the assigned readings, other published work on field research, and the experiences they and others have had with managing fieldwork’s diverse challenges. Interaction and discussion in small and large groups is encouraged.

Book to Purchase: Kapiszewski, D., MacLean, L. M., & Read, B. L. (2015). Field research in political science: practices and principles.

Participants may enter the module sequence after it has begun.

Preparing for Fieldwork and Operating in the Field (M27, June 24)

This module introduces the fieldwork module sequence, considering the structure of the modules and presenting some of the overarching themes we will consider over the next three days. The module then begins to discuss the design, planning, and execution of field research. We offer strategies for addressing the intellectual, social, emotional, health, and logistical challenges that carrying out field research can involve. Each session is conducted with the understanding that participants have carefully read the assigned materials. The instructors present key points drawing on the assigned readings, other published work on field research, and the experiences they and others have had with managing fieldwork’s diverse challenges. Interaction and discussion in small and large groups is encouraged.

8:45am - 10:15am – Borders and Varieties of Fieldwork

Diana Kapiszewski and Lauren M. MacLean

This session introduces the fieldwork modules, outlining their structure and identifying some underlying themes that we will consider throughout the three days of the module sequence, including questions of positionality and power, and the similarities and differences between digital and traditional fieldwork. We discuss our conception of field research as entailing repeated shifts among research design, data collection, and data analysis, and consider some of the implications of these shifts. We consider how fieldwork varies across contexts, researchers, projects, and points of time in the same project; begin to reflect on the diverse challenges that fieldwork entails; and discuss the importance of conducting fieldwork with research ethics continuously in mind.

Required readings:

Suggested readings:

1:30pm - 3:00pm – Preparing for Fieldwork

Diana Kapiszewski and Lauren M. MacLean

This session addresses pre-dissertation and other exploratory research, logistical preparation for fieldwork, securing funding, networking to obtain contacts and interviews, and negotiating institutional affiliation. We also introduce a key tool we encourage everyone who conducts fieldwork to use — a “Data Collection Plan” — which helps field researchers to both plan fieldwork activities in a way that is anchored to their (field) research design, and track their progress.

Required readings:

Suggested readings:

3:30pm - 5:00pm – Operating in the Field: Overview of Data-Collection Techniques

Diana Kapiszewski and Lauren M. MacLean

This session offers practical advice on collecting data and managing interpersonal relations in the field. We suggest that fieldwork techniques can be arrayed on an “interactivity spectrum” from “more-interactive” to “less-interactive”. We consider the overall strengths and weaknesses of these different approaches to data collection, think about how they can be combined, and begin to discuss the ethical challenges that each can entail. We consider the formation and maintenance of professional relationships in the field, such as hiring and working with research assistants and collaborating with other researchers. We also consider the similarities and differences between conducting digital and traditional fieldwork.

Required readings:

Suggested readings:

Surveys, Interviews, Focus Groups, and Observation (M31, June 25)

This module considers a range of “more-interactive” data-collection techniques, i.e., techniques in which information is obtained or generated through interacting with people. We discuss the importance of reflexive observation in the field, consider the ethical underpinnings of all of these techniques, and consider both digital and traditional forms. Each session is conducted with the understanding that participants have carefully read the assigned materials. The instructors present key points drawing on the assigned readings, other published work on field research, and the experiences they and others have had with managing fieldwork’s diverse challenges. Interaction and discussion in small and large groups is encouraged.

8:45am - 10:15am – The Benefits and Challenges of Surveys

Lauren M. MacLean

This session introduces surveys as a data collection technique. It considers the benefits and challenges of conducting surveys, and what survey data can teach us about the world. We introduce important research choices related to fieldwork and survey implementation, including survey mode, sampling, and questionnaire design. We emphasize the importance of connecting the data collection plan for your project to the questions included in your questionnaire and anticipating the potential model and analysis. We discuss the costs and benefits of different types of survey question types, and consider the use of cognitive interviews for survey development and asking sensitive questions.

Required readings:

Suggested readings:

1:30pm - 3:00pm – Interviews

Diana Kapiszewski

This session considers the many opportunities and challenges entailed in conducting interviews in the field. We discuss different types of interviews, interview preparation before leaving for the field and once arrived, respondent selection, and the design of interview protocols. We also consider a range of choices and challenges involved in conducting interviews and following-up thereafter, options for capturing interview data, and the evidentiary strengths and weaknesses of interview data. Participants will be encouraged to create various tools for use in their own research, including a research pitch and an informed consent script, and sample interview questions. Throughout, we offer a range of practical advice.

Required readings:

Suggested readings:

3:30pm - 5:00pm – Focus Groups and Observation

Lauren MacLean

This session highlights the value of focus group discussions for particular types of research questions and projects, considering the key strengths of this particular type of interview. We discuss how to approach the logistical preparations for focus groups and the unique ethical challenges involved with informed consent and confidentiality. We emphasize the critical role of the facilitator in managing the discussion, including how to handle challenging participants of a variety of types. The session also highlights how all field researchers — whether they consider themselves to be “ethnographers” or not — engage in ethnographic observation, generating important insights on their research topic. We discuss how to leverage these insights by more systematically incorporating ethnographic practices for observation, note-taking, and analysis.

Required readings:

Suggested readings:

Archival Research and Dynamic Research Design (M35, June 26)

This module begins with a discussion of a preeminent “less-interactive” form of fieldwork — archival research — considering its conduct in both digital and traditional forms. The module concludes with a consideration of the multiple strategies scholars can adopt in order to engage in analysis and assess their progress in the field. We consider the “iterative” nature of research design and field research design, why design is iterative, and what measures can be taken so that iteration does not undermine inference. Each session is conducted with the understanding that participants have carefully read the assigned materials. The instructors present key points drawing on the assigned readings, other published work on field research, and the experiences they and others have had with managing fieldwork’s diverse challenges. Interaction and discussion in small and large groups is encouraged.

8:45am - 10:15am – Archival Research I

Rob Mickey

This session introduces participants to the process of planning and conducting fieldwork aimed at collecting and analyzing archival evidence, remote-access archival research, and digitized sources. Where, when and how does one start? What does one actually do at an archive? What are concrete strategies for time management, navigating materials, note-taking, and organizing and storing evidence?

Required readings:

Suggested readings:

10:45am - 12:15pm – Archival Research II

Rob Mickey

This session focuses on how to use archival materials. Participants will consider and grapple with the many biases that arise in working in the archives, as well as how to interpret archival documents. The session also deals with how to make archival research more transparent to readers, ethical challenges encountered in the archives, and how to transform archival evidence into quantitative data.

Required readings:

Suggested readings:

1:30pm - 3:00pm – Analyzing, Re-Tooling, and Assessing Progress

Diana Kapiszewski and Lauren M. MacLean

This session considers various strategies for analyzing data analysis, writing up results, and presenting initial findings to different audiences while conducting fieldwork. It also considers the challenges that arise when scholars conducting fieldwork feel they need to change their project, and how to decide if and what to change. Finally, the session explores how to assess progress toward completing field research.

Required readings:

Suggested readings: