Few texts are devoted to the important topic of gaining access to research sites / participants. I include Feldman, M. S., Bell, J., & Berger, M. T. (2003). Gaining access: a practical and theoretical guide for qualitative researchers. Walnut Creek, Calif.: AltaMira Press as an  ”interactive book presentation text” option in my qualitative research methods courses. One student wrote the following review of this text:

Gaining Access provides the beginning field researcher insight as to how to gain access, trust, and entrée into their particular field. Focusing on the qualitative aspects of field research, the book is broken into two sections.

The first section of the book provides a practical guide to finding informants, and navigating review boards. It also gives some tips on how to find informants and developing credibility with the informants. Finally, the first half gives the entry level researcher some tips on exiting the research site. This may be difficult due to the close relationships that may develop over the course of the research.

The second half of the book focuses on vignettes provided by entry level researchers who discuss the difficulties and solutions to issues faced when attempting to gain access to research sites. This is helpful because one can see what researchers did in the real-life situations that they may have encountered.