Undertaking Sensitive Research in the Health and Social Sciences
Managing Boundaries, Emotions and Risks

Documents experiences throughout the entire research process - from conceptualization, ethics approval, field-work, analysis, and publication.

Virginia Dickson-Swift (Author), Erica Lyn James (Author), Pranee Liamputtong (Author)

9780521718233, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 21 August 2008

168 pages, 2 tables
23.3 x 15.5 x 0.1 cm, 0.29 kg

'Discussion of the impact on the researcher of carrying out sensitive research has been muted. This volume certainly fills the void and is one which I would recommend to all researchers about to embark on a qualitative project - whether the subject is of an overtly 'sensitive' nature or not. … an extensively referenced, enjoyable, engaging and informative text and should be on the bookshelves of all qualitative researchers - and, especially, supervisors.' Sociology of Health & Illness

Undertaking qualitative research on sensitive topics often raises a variety of ethical problems. Based on empirical research, this book documents experiences throughout the entire research process: from conceptualization, ethics approval, fieldwork, to analysis and publication. It presents readers with stories from the researcher's perspective and synthesizes these experiences into a conceptual framework that will assist researchers to undertake qualitative research. Each section discusses potential pitfalls, provides quotes and stories and reviews the relevant literature and theory, providing readers with a description of the process of conducting sensitive research from the perspective of those actually doing the research. This is not a methodology textbook, rather, it discusses the issues faced by researchers during the conduct of qualitative research on sensitive topics, such as death and dying, sexuality, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, cancer. It provides practical recommendations for researchers and Research Ethics Committees. It will also be a useful resource for anyone interested in undertaking a research project on sensitive topics and for those teaching qualitative methods across a broad range of disciplines.

Preface
Acknowledgements
1. What is sensitive research?
2. Doing sensitive research - methodological, theoretical, ethical and moral perspectives
3. Conducting sensitive research
4. Boundaries
5. Emotions
6. Risks and ethics
7. Implications and recommendations for researchers
References
Index.

Subject Areas: Medicolegal issues [MBQ], Medical ethics & professional conduct [MBDC], Medical & healthcare law [LNTM]