Includes bibliographical references and index.

This book addresses the difficult conditions researchers may face in the field and provides lessons in how to navigate the various social, political, economic, health and environmental challenges involved in fieldwork. It also sheds important light on aspects often considered 'secret' or taboo. A range of senior anthropologists offer the benefit of their experience conducting research in diverse cultures around the world. The contributions combine engaging personal narrative with consideration of theory and methods. The volume emphasizes how being adaptable, and aware, of the many risks and rewards of ethnographic research can help foster success in quantitative and qualitative data collection. This is a valuable resource for students of anthropological methods and those about to embark on fieldwork for the first time.