ABSTRACT
Research questions are ultimately formulated because the investigators are curious about something, and there is frequently a practical (or personal) motive for the curiosity, in addition to a formal theoretical one. These things are rarely discussed or mentioned in research reports; the usual course is for the authors to assume that readers will share their enthusiasm and will quickly recognize the significance of the questions addressed by the investigation. One danger of this is that the readers or listeners will become bored and frustrated, and another more significant danger is that the investigators themselves will become confused and frustrated. Cross-cultural research in particular has many exotic tinges to it, which can appeal to one’s own social prejudices, and it is too easy to forget the question in the excitement aroused by the complex social contrasts observed. In the research reported here, we found it invaluable to return repeatedly to the original questions and purposes of the study, and to be continuously articulate about their formulations. Beyond simply reporting our research and findings, one objective of this chapter is to illustrate the history of the process of our inquiry.
