DRESSED AS A TRUCK DRIVER, THE AUTHOR FREQUENTED THE SLUMS OF SEATTLE. HE UTILIZED THE CONTACTS MADE DURING THESE VISITS TO INITIATE A 'PARTICIPATORY STUDY ' OF SUCH ACTIVITIES AS ORGANIZED GAMBLING. ONLY AFTER EXTENSIVE CONTACT WITH THESE PEOPLE WAS THE AUTHOR ABLE TO DISCLOSE HIS TRUE IDENTITY, AND EVEN AFTER THIS DISCLOSURE, HE WAS CAREFUL TO MAINTAIN A TOTALLY TRUSTWORTHY AND CONFIDENTIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE ORGANIZED CRIME PARTICIPANTS HE INTERVIEWED. BASED ON HIS EXPERIENCE, THE AUTHOR URGES THAT OTHER SOCIOLOGISTS INVOLVE THEMSELVES IN SUCH FIELD RESEARCH....DMC