Discuss ethical issues in qualitative research

Question 1

Discuss ethical issues in qualitative research: Informed consent (5)

Answer 1

• participants must understand what the study will involve and must agree to participate
• participation is voluntary
• participants should be able to understand the information given before, during and after the study
• ethics committee must give permission if informed consent cannot be obtained because of the nature of the research
• in covert participant observations, researcher should carefully consider whether the data gathered is so important that the study is justified (esp if dangerous for researcher e.g. what is life like as a convict)
• cultural considerations when deciding what behaviours can be acceptably observed/recorded

Question 2

Discuss ethical issues in qualitative research: Protect participants from harm (4)

Answer 2

• could research bring harm to participants
• questions should be clear and direct if topic is sensitive
• protect participants of consequences of participation
• follow-up in research to ensure participants’ well-being

Question 3

Discuss ethical issues in qualitative research: Anonymity and confidentiality (2)

Answer 3

• in cases where full anonymity cannot be observed participants should be fully informed
• research material should be destroyed and transcripts anonymized

Question 4

Discuss ethical issues in qualitative research: Potential exploitation of participants (2)

Answer 4

• researcher use reflexivity and consult other researchers when researching socially or psychologically vulnerable people who are not able to protect themselves
• can findings based on deception and covert observations in research on sensitive issues be justified (“invasion of privacy” should be critically evaluated and is a grounds on which one could abandon a study)

Question 5

Discuss ethical issues in qualitative research: Other issues specific to qualitative data (3)

Answer 5

• small number of participants may make anonymity difficult
• long-term research process done with close contact to participants may lead participants to reveal personal feelings and make it hard for the researcher to remain objective at all times
• obtaining sensitive information e.g. participants criminal records should be discussed beforehand (give to authorities or not)

Question 6

Discuss ethical issues in qualitative research (4)

Answer 6

• Potential exploitation of participants
• Anonymity and confidentiality
• Protect participants from harm
• Informed consent
• Other issues