• Timing of visits
• Involvement of local authorities in preparing and announcing the visits
• Attitude towards local population
• Motivation of respondents and officials (recognition of identity, explanation of goals, payment)
• Interviewing techniques based on knowledge of local codes of social interaction

Finding good informants

• Local authorities that have lived long in the region and have information on recent developments
• Official persons (religious officials, mayors, public notaries, postmasters)
• Local population widely traveled over the area, shopkeepers

Problems encountered

• Accessibility of local authorities
• Officials being young, ignorant, not native to the area
• Timid population
• Language problems
• Accessibility of respondents
• Outdated and/or incorrect maps