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In recent years, a growing chorus of voices in the political science discipline has become concerned with the balance among alternative methodological approaches in empirical research and publications. Accordingly, these scholars have issued a call to further develop and refine rigorous methods for qualitative studies, in contrast to studies that rely on quantitative methods and formal modeling (Bennett, Earth, and Rutherford 2003; Yanow 2003; George and Bennett 2005). My own interest and reason for conducting the following survey is rooted in the observation, even frustration, that the literature on qualitative research methods largely focuses on democratic and not on authoritarian regimes or the Middle East in particular.1 Research in the Middle East is clearly essential and has received increased attention since the terrorist attacks of 9-11, but given how critical this work is and will continue to be in coming years, what are the challenges? Do qualitative methodological tools need to be adapted for research in the Middle East? And, if so, how?
Broadly speaking, this symposium seeks to address these questions by examining the topics, techniques, and challenges of scholars conducting field work in the Middle East, and to elucidate the ways in which they can contribute to the study of qualitative research methods. The experiences of political scientists researching in the Middle East are especially germane for discussions on qualitative methods, as researchers must contend with political authoritarianism and violence, anti-Americanism, and presumably deep cultural differences related to religion and, as a result, gender. Given these challenges, how scholars undertake field work in the region, the qualitative methods they use, and how they overcome the obstacles they encounter are of interest and value to political scientists in general. Indeed, a second goal of this symposium is to examine the extent to which "Middle Eastern exceptionalism" is valid and impacts upon the field research process.
Toward these ends, during the 2004-2005 academic year I conducted an email survey of political scientists conducting field research in the Middle East. The qualitative survey had 25 open-ended questions inquiring into: the respondents' research topics; countries in which they conducted field work; reasons for the choice of countries; types of primary sources utilized in the field; interview techniques; the use of surveys; confidentiality and ethical issues encountered in...