Time and Schedules
Different cultural norms related to scheduling and
time often exist and may cause disruptions in data
collection. For example, it may be difficult to
coordinate interviews when appointment times are
viewed as flexible and fluid. When V.L. taught classes
at her field site, she learned to distribute flyers stating
the class would begin at 12:30 p.m. but planned that the
class would actually begin at 1:30 p.m. Festivals and
holidays can interrupt work schedules and the
availability of certain resources or personnel. For
example, Tanzania has 16 and Argentina 18 public
holidays plus several unofficial holidays, during
which almost everything is closed and the
research staff cannot be expected to work except in
extreme cases and for double pay. Public hospitals or
clinics often close earlier in the day because employees
go to second jobs or have private practices in the
afternoon