Ethics in qualitative research methods

Transcription

1 Ethics in qualitative research methods Suneeta Krishnan, PhD ICMR- CSER Training Ethics in Social Science Research in Health 27 November 1 December, 2006

2 Module Objective Understand ethical issues related to the use of qualitative methods in health research.

3 Qualitative Methods One-to-one, in-depth, open-ended, semistructured interviews (Focus) group discussions Observation: participant observation, ethnography Participatory learning/research tools

4 Approach At different stages of the qualitative research process. From the application of specific qualitative methods.

5 Departures Qualitative studies generate understanding of health problems by focusing on perceptions, beliefs, meanings attributed to health, relationships between individuals/communities, cultural norms, and economic and political conditions. Nature: method and design evolve over time May be inappropriate, bad science to have an a priori design.

6 Ethical challenges arise from: 1. Research goals 2. Gaining access 3. Data collection and interpretation, and use of results 4. Relationships between the researcher and researched Allocation of control over research

7 Theory-building, Problem Definition Strength of qualitative research is flexibility: Process provides space for the emergence of variables during data collection and data analysis. Process therefore often entails the use of different methods over time.

8 Gaining Access Identifying potential participants for research particularly when subject of research is sensitive may be ethically challenging. Will recruitment/identification cause harm? Need to pick up overt and covert cues of interest: nonverbal cues, indirect questions.

9 Disclosure and Consent Research purpose may not be entirely clear at the outset. Disclosure and consent need to be viewed as dynamic rather than static. May not be able to get prior consent. Need to distinguish between generic information and private information. Seek consent on private information at point of disclosure or data analysis.

10 Research Process Hinges On: Trust and vigilance on the part of the researcher. Time to build trust is essential and difficult particularly in rapid qualitative assessments as well as group-based methods (focus group discussions).

11 Data Collection Challenges Extent of control over circumstances under which information is shared (privacy) Unwitting disclosure. Option to rescind information. Opportunity to share information off the record.

12 Data Collection Challenges (2) Information shared might endanger privacy of another individual. Information may require researchers to violate confidentiality for clinical, legal or safety reasons.

13 Data Collection Challenges (3) Extent of control over use of private information (confidentiality) Reporting findings should not endanger individuals or the communities they belong to. Need to adequately disguise data (especially important in life history/narrative, in-depth interview based studies) Providing opportunity for participants to review material that will be disseminated.

14 Researchers Roles and Relationships Power differences between researchers and participants. Attempts to redress these differentials: Reflexivity: making explicit/critiquing the relationship Participatory action research

15 Researchers Roles and Relationships Sustaining relationships may be challenging. Immersion in social settings may set up expectations, role/boundary confusion. Yet, personal relationships are an important starting point for social research.

16 Researchers Roles and Relationships What hats do and should researchers wear? Advocate for social change Health care provider Friend May become particularly acute in the context of action research/when applying participatory methods.

17 Ethics as Process Respect participants emotions. Aware of ways in which the researcherparticipant relationship may be evolving over time. Distinguish between obligations/responsibilities and expectations arising from relationships. Carefully plan withdrawal from the field. Provide participants opportunity to review representation. Source: Ramcharan, P and Cutcliffe, JR. (2001) Judging the ethics of qualitative research: considering the ethics as process model. Health and Social Care in the Community. 9(6):

18 Finally, Research design and ethics are not one and the same. Source: Ramcharan, P and Cutcliffe, JR. (2001) Judging the ethics of qualitative research: considering the ethics as process model. Health and Social Care in the Community. 9(6):