G. Access and Gate Keeping

Joining exclusive or deviant groups that tend to shut out ‘___’ or gaining access to them to conduct ___ and ___ is not impossible but needs to be cautiously thought through in terms of ___ and ___ ___.

Joining exclusive or deviant groups that tend to shut out ‘outsiders’ or gaining access to them to conduct questionnaires and interviews is not impossible but needs to be cautiously thought through in terms of ethics and personal safety.

The sociologist will often need to use an ___ or ‘___ ___’, a person who does have contact with a ___ or ___ ___ of individuals.

The sociologist will often need to use an intermediary or ‘gate keeper’, a person who does have contact with a relevant or appropriate set of individuals.

Access to victims of ___ ___, for example, is not easy.

• Intermediary is important, can ___ for researcher and help to ___ ___

• Professionals (___ ___) can fill this role, introducing a researcher to a ___

Access to victims of domestic violence, for example, is not easy.

• Intermediary is important, can vouch for researcher and help to establish trust

• Professionals (social workers) can fill this role, introducing a researcher to a victim

Some sociologists have attempted to use gate keepers to access ___ and ___.

• Gate keepers can ___ with those whom the sociologist is interested in so a degree of ___ is achieved

• The world of crime involves people who are conventionally powerful (___, ___ ___) but also those who are powerful in being ___ ___

Some sociologists have attempted to use gate keepers to access crime and deviance.

• Gate keepers can negotiate with those whom the sociologist is interested in so a degree of cooperation is achieved

• The world of crime involves people who are conventionally powerful (judges, police officers) but also those who are powerful in being potentially dangerous

There are therefore few studies of ___ ___, and it is easier for a sociologist to gain access to a ___ and interview ___ ___ than it is to access an organised ___ ___.

There are therefore few studies of working criminals, and it is easier for a sociologist to gain access to a prison and interview convicted criminals than it is to access an organised crime gang.