Preparing for the field

This chapter aims to help readers prepare for going to 'the field'- the location(s) where data will be collected. We discuss starting a new field site, collaborating at established sites, and practical strategies for building and maintaining ties to the field site longitudinally. Throughout, we emphasize that developing trusting relationships with the community is critical to ethical research practice and essential for good science. Starting from this principle, we review the practical strategies for relationship-building and establishing ethical research practices, especially in regard to work with children and in settings with little to no infrastructure for research oversight. Also, personal experiences and practical aspects of conducting research are presented, including: obtaining permissions to conduct research with 'human subjects', developing rigorous consent procedures, writing codes of conduct for research staff, data storage and access concerns, staying safe and healthy in the field, and designing comprehensive and Eethical budgets.