ABSTRACT
This chapter will detail the research methodology employed in the study. The aim is to provide an honest account of what proved to be a somewhat ‘messy’ research process (Bell 2004). To begin with, the background to the study will be discussed, before we move on to examine the process of constructing the sample using so-called ‘snowball sampling’. As sample building proved to be the most problematic aspect of the research process, this section will make up the bulk of the chapter. Following this, the research instrument, a form of semi-structured ‘life story’ interview, will be considered, before the ethical implications of the study are addressed. Finally, we will introduce the participants who did agree to take part in the research, and explore some of the demographic features of the sample.
