Open AccessWhat is in it for me? Challenges Associated with Recruiting Participants for a Study Focusing on Informal Workers: A Reflection from Fieldwork Conducted in Nigeria
Author(s) -
Funmilayo Juliana Afolabi
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2021.4895
Subject(s) - informal sector , perspective (graphical) , sociology , informal learning , informal education , participant observation , public relations , pedagogy , economic growth , social science , political science , higher education , artificial intelligence , computer science , economics
This article presents the challenges a social scientist can encounter in studying workers in an informal sector. It is written from a doctoral researcher's perspective and draws on her fieldwork experience among informal automobile artisans in Osun State, Nigeria. The paper intends to share insights into navigating the challenges in conducting social inquiry among workers in the informal sector for fruitful outcomes. Particular attention is paid to some of the more common challenges researchers may encounter when conducting research in the informal sector. These challenges include project entry, participant recruitment, and retention. This article concludes with suggestions which researchers can use to study informal workers, especially in developing countries.