Facilitative Aspects of Field Research with Deviant Street Populations*

In: Sociological inquiry: the quarterly journal of the International Sociology Honor Society, Band 62, Heft 4, S. 490-498

Abstract

The authors examine facilitative aspects of field research with deviant street populations. Based on the authors' research with the homeless and with male street prostitutes, the facilitative aspects include access to settings, social relationships, acquisition of information, and the maintenance of researcher interest. The authors argue that in each of these aspects street deviants may in some ways be easier to study than other populations. The paper concludes with suggestions for maximizing the efficiency and quality of fieldwork with specific deviant populations.