Criteria for Selecting a Fieldsite 

•  Safe
• Legal
• Unfamiliar to the Student 
• In a geographically defined space
• In an accessible location 
• Populated by Subjects at a time convenient to the student. Gatherings should conform to a schedule that should allow the student to fulfill all assignments on time
• Inhabited by a clearly defined subculture 
• Members recognize themselves as a group 
• Based on subjects’ willingness to participate in the study
• Limited to subjects 18 or older (unless you are able to obtain a signed parental consent for all minors) 
• Interesting and exciting to study 

Potential Abstract Revision Questions

• Have you narrowed the field/topic enough?
• How will you gain access to the subculture? To the site? (Remember that easy access does not mean easy research)
• What is your status in relation the this subculture (insider/outsider) and what complexities might that introduce? 
• Are there any ethical or legal/safety concerns?
• Do you have a genuine interest in the subculture?
• Have you developed real (researchable) questions to explore?
• Are you in it to win it? That is, is this subculture and fieldsite going to intellectually engage you for the next three to four months?