Ana Patrícia Hilário i Fábio Rafael Augusto (Ur.): Practical and Ethical Dilemmas in Researching Sensitive Topics with Populations Considered Vulnerable

Despite the growing interest in qualitative research and discussion of ethics, there has been little focus in the literature on the specific ethical dilemmas faced by researchers. In this paper, we share our fieldwork experiences regarding the ethical dilemmas that we encountered while doing research on a sensitive topic. Specifically, we share some of the ethical dilemmas, that is, concerning confidentiality, anonymity, legitimacy, controversial data, interpretation and off-the-record data, which emerged from the research. Most importantly, this paper shares ideas concerning how researchers might deal with ethical issues while preserving their integrity in the research process. Overall, this paper suggests approaches that qualitative researchers can adopt when doing research on sensitive topics. The paper contributes towards closing an existing gap in the literature, making visible the challenges frequently faced by qualitative researchers, that is, the vulnerability of researchers while preserving research integrity. Finally, this paper concludes with the suggestion that ethical dilemmas are part of the research process in doing qualitative research. However, it is suggested that future research should focus on ethical issues from the perspective of the researchers as well as the respondents.

Download Full-text

Ethical Dilemmas in Audiology

Contemporary Issues in Communication Science and Disorders ◽

10.1044/cicsd_38_s_76 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 38 (Spring) ◽

pp. 76-86 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ashleigh J. Callahan ◽

Norman J. Lass ◽

Kimberly L. Richards ◽

Andrea B. Yost ◽

Kristen S. Porter ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ethical Dilemmas

Download Full-text

Impact of a new course on students' potential behaviour on encountering ethical dilemmas

Medical Education ◽

10.1046/j.1365-2923.2001.00872.x ◽

2001 ◽

Vol 35 (3) ◽

pp. 295-302 ◽

Cited By ~ 28

Author(s):

John Goldie ◽

Lisa Schwartz ◽

Alex McConnachie ◽

Jillian Morrison

Keyword(s):

Ethical Dilemmas

Download Full-text

Ethical Dilemmas in Pediatrics

10.1017/cbo9780511545504 ◽

2005 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Keyword(s):

Ethical Dilemmas

Download Full-text

Ethical Dilemmas in Emergency Medicine

10.1017/cbo9781139941709 ◽

2015 ◽

Keyword(s):

Emergency Medicine ◽

Ethical Dilemmas

Download Full-text

Counselling in the Post Office: facing up to the legal and ethical dilemmas

British Journal of Guidance and Counselling ◽

10.1080/03069889600760231 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 265-275

Author(s):

Noreen Tehrani

Keyword(s):

Ethical Dilemmas ◽

Post Office

Download Full-text

To Tell or Not to Tell, That Is the Question

European Psychologist ◽

10.1027/1016-9040.11.3.236 ◽

2006 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 236-243 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Knut Dalen

Keyword(s):

Gender Differences ◽

Ethics Education ◽

Ethical Dilemmas ◽

Continuous Process ◽

Telephone Counseling ◽

Counseling Service ◽

Telephone Service

Ethical dilemmas encountered by psychologists have previously been studied in surveys and as formal ethical complaints. No previous publications have been found in which data from an ethics counseling telephone service for psychologists has been analyzed. The present study examines ethical dilemmas, as presented by members of the Norwegian Psychological Association calling the Ethics Telephone Counseling Service (ETCS) from 2001 through 2003. Psychologists seek counseling for a range of ethical dilemmas. Ethical dilemmas concerning confidentiality are those most commonly presented. Dilemmas concerning integrity are also fairly common, whereas dilemmas concerning competence are rarely presented. The study shows virtually no difference in frequency and nature of consultation based on how long a psychologist has been licensed. This study also shows only minor gender differences in the use of the ETCS. Possible implications for ethics education as a continuous process are discussed.

Download Full-text