ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the practical dimensions of conducting empirical fieldwork under uncertainty, with a focus on conditions commonly but not universally found throughout the developing world. It argues that two key conditions contribute to practical on-the-ground uncertainties for researchers – regime type and state strength. In general, the less capable the state and the more authoritarian its character, the greater the potential for project-altering uncertainties to arise. The bulk of the chapter comprises a test of this premise, emphasizing how regime types and state strength affect researcher safety or liberty; their ability to obtain data from documents, interviews, or surveys; secure data storage; and navigation of ethics protocols at researcher's home institutions. The chapter highlights the need to unpack the concept of uncertainty, arguing that there are many kinds of uncertainties, all of which may arise for complex reasons beyond the researcher's control. As such, it distinguishes between the empirical phenomenon of uncertainty, which exercises unforeseen influence over observable outcomes, and the more practical understanding of the term that pertains to how researchers carry out their work. The chapter invites us to consider more deeply the need for preparedness and training, especially for new and emerging scholars, about adverse or uncertain fieldwork conditions.
