Suggesting important areas of observation and interpretations of data, informants initially serve as contacts linking the researcher to the informant’s network. Thus the researcher typically begins the entry process by persuading one or more members of the setting to accept him or her. If an observer can define his or her role in a satisfactory way, other members of the setting will permit entry as well.
The method of gaining acceptance by key members of a setting varies with the nature of the setting. Sometimes, the key informants may know the observer’s role. In others, acceptance may require that the observers conceal their research interest. In both cases, the researcher role must permit him or her to be curious and in need of instruction by other members.