Typical Challenges to Field Research

Typical Challenges to Field Research Projects are:

1. Funding
2. Training field researchers in a crass-cultural context
3. Lack of understanding from field leaders and/or teammates as to why research is necessary
4. Suspicion on the part of church leaders toward research
5. Issues of confidentiality
6. Safety issues
7. Deciding who owns the data and who has access to it
8. Issues related to dissemination of the data
9. Developing a research mentality among team members
10. Dealing with an inflated or inaccurate picture of the national church
11. Etc.

As you begin a research project, keep these challenges in mind as you move forward.