In the case of sociolinguistic research, qualitative research requires a focus on the details and particularities of language use in context. This chapter outlines current perspectives on conducting qualitative research in multilingual contexts. It focuses on providing an understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges of conducting qualitative research in multilingual contexts in which proficiency in the various languages and multiple varieties employed in the research context is a key component of research. Using data from over ten years of ethnographic fieldwork among members of...

In the case of sociolinguistic research, qualitative research requires a focus on the details and particularities of language use in context. This chapter outlines current perspectives on conducting qualitative research in multilingual contexts. It focuses on providing an understanding of the unique opportunities and challenges of conducting qualitative research in multilingual contexts in which proficiency in the various languages and multiple varieties employed in the research context is a key component of research. Using data from over ten years of ethnographic fieldwork among members of the Hungarian-minority population in Eastern Europe as one example, the chapter illustrates processes involved in qualitative research, beginning with outlining a theoretical perspective, conceptualizing a research problem, gaining access in the field, developing participant and participant-observer stances, gathering and organizing data, and analyzing and verifying analyses of such data.