Preface to “Practical and Ethical Dilemmas in Researching Sensitive Topics with Populations Considered Vulnerable”
Conducting social science research is a complex process. In addition to the usual theoretical and methodological concerns, researchers have to contemplate several ethical issues and answer several questions: what impact will the research have on the various actors involved? What risks can arise? What strategies should be adopted? These and other issues, however complex they may seem, must emerge at an early stage of the research, so that researchers have time to mobilize themselves in the creation of coping mechanisms. In this initial phase of research preparation and planning, researchers must also seek to answer two important questions: will the research focus on a (potentially) vulnerable group? Will the topics in the research be (potentially) sensitive? If the answer is positive to at least one of these questions, researchers have a responsibility to search for or create solutions for any challenges that might (predictably) arise. This book fundamentally seeks to support all researchers who interact with vulnerability and sensitivity in the context of social research by providing various research experiences, as well as the elements that characterize them.
Research projects that dive into sensitive topics and involve work with vulnerable people can be ethically challenging and uncomfortable territory for research ethics reviewers, supervises and institutions. But they are often important topic areas for work to be undertaken and challenges that deserve exploration. This book explores the issues and offers practical ethical advice. It is useful reading for researchers of all experience levels and career strangers. It is also useful professional development reading call research ethics committee members.
Customizing Methodological Approaches in Qualitative Research on Vulnerable Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
An Exploration of the Practical and Ethical Issues of Research Using Multi-Visual Methods with Children Affected by Chronic Pain
Exploring the Role of ‘Shadowing’ as a Beneficial Preparatory Step for Sensitive Qualitative Research with Children and Young People with Serious Health Conditions
Consent for Research on Violence against Children: Dilemmas and Contradictions
Reinforcing and Reproducing Stereotypes? Ethical Considerations When Doing Research on Stereotypes and Stereotyped Reasoning
Ethics in Categorizing Ethnicity and Disability in Research with Children
The Problematics of Assessing Trans Identity in Survey Research: A Modest Proposal for Improving Question Design
“I Don’t Have the Nerve to Tell These People That I Cannot Help Them!”: Vulnerability, Ethnography, and Good Intentions
Multiple Vulnerabilities in Medical Settings: Invisible Suffering of Doctors
Invisible Vulnerabilities: Ethical, Practical and Methodological Dilemmas in Conducting Qualitative Research on the Interaction with IVF Embryos
The Emotional Risks of Turning Stories into Data: An Exploration of the Experiences of Qualitative Researchers Working on Sensitive Topics
Who else Needs Protection? Reflecting on Researcher Vulnerability in Sensitive Research
