Slammed Shut: Gatekeeping and Negotiating Access with Domestic Violence Organizations
Abstract
No matter the methodology, gaining access to potential research participants is one of the more difficult aspects of conducting field research. Sometimes, potential participants may be “hard to reach”—for example, they are physically located in remote areas where the lack of infrastructure necessitates extensive travel and/or difficult logistics. Alternatively, they may be “vulnerable” due to disenfranchisement (incarcerated populations), stigma (those living with HIV/AIDS), or at risk if they share their experiences (people living in authoritarian states). Or participants may be “hidden”—that is, no record of their experiences exists, which, in turn, makes it difficult to find and recruit them (Ellard-Gray et al. 2015). 1
Fields of Study & Subjects
Qualitative Research Methods and Ethics
Focus Groups and Qualitative Methods
Participatory Visual Research Methods
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Politics & Gender
- Volume
- 22
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 620–626
- Publication date
- 7 January 2026
- Language
- EN