ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to reflect on the use of sample survey methods in the field: that is, the use of structured interview schedules, probability samples. A more fruitful approach to the issue must certainly recognize that a field study is not a single method gathering a single kind of information. The Three types of information are: incidents and histories; distributions and frequencies; and generally known rules and statuses.Criteria according to which the 'goodness' of a procedure may be defined are: informational adequacy, and efficiency. In learning institutionalized rules and statuses it is doubtful that there is a formal prototype and all three methods yield adequate information. Three methods are: participant-observation, informant-interviewing, and enumerations and samples. Validity is excluded because it is, in a technical sense, a relation between an indicator and a concept, and similar problems arise whether one obtains information from an informant, a sample or from direct observation.
