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Taking a research ‘safari’ into Africa: the value of going ‘pole pole’

In: Handbook for Qualitative Research in Emerging Markets

Author

Listed:
  • Aloysius Marcus Kahindi
  • Charles E. Stevens

Abstract

It takes time to do a research ‘safari’ into Africa, but done properly the journey has the potential to be a rewarding one. In this chapter, the authors discuss their own journeys in doing research in Africa, with contrasting ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ perspectives. We use our experiences to illuminate the areas in which the African context challenges the conventional wisdom with respect to qualitative data collection. Numerous differences, including issues relating to the central importance of context familiarization, informal relationship-building, and the need to understand and give voice to informants’ authentic worldview and modes of sense-making, point to the need for a ‘slow and steady’ (pole pole) approach to data collection in sub-Saharan Africa. We conclude with a series of detailed, practical recommendations for the researcher interested in starting their own research safari into Africa.

Suggested Citation

  • Aloysius Marcus Kahindi & Charles E. Stevens, 2025. "Taking a research ‘safari’ into Africa: the value of going ‘pole pole’," Chapters, in: Helena Barnard (ed.), Handbook for Qualitative Research in Emerging Markets, chapter 9, pages 115-130, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    • Handle: RePEc:elg:eechap:22831_9
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    File URL: https://www.elgaronline.com/doi/10.4337/9781035322329.00016
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