Doing qualitative fieldwork in Cuba: social research in politically sensitive locations

Bell, K. (2013) Doing qualitative fieldwork in Cuba: social research in politically sensitive locations. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 16(2), pp. 109-124. (doi: 10.1080/13645579.2011.653217)

Abstract

Cuba, a country that is often portrayed as an isolated, secretive and bureaucratic dictatorship, would appear to present many challenges for a social researcher intent on eliciting the genuine opinions of the native population. However, in December 2008, I began just such an investigation, researching ‘environmental justice’ (i.e. the social and distributive impacts of environmental policy and practice) in the country, using a mixture of interview and participant observation techniques. As might be expected, much of the fieldwork was dominated by the sensitive political context, creating numerous methodological issues and dilemmas, as well as personal challenges. This paper looks at the difficulties faced, in particular with regard to the problem of attaining reliability and validity, and the strategies that were used to overcome them. It will be of relevance to anyone considering carrying out fieldwork investigations in socialist, and other politically sensitive, locations.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bell, Dr Karen
• Authors: Bell, K.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Urban Studies
• Journal Name: International Journal of Social Research Methodology
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 1364-5579
• ISSN (Online): 1464-5300
• Published Online: 01 February 2012