Harm, change and unpredictability: the ethics of interviews in conflict research

Abstract

Conceiving of interviews as relationships of knowledge creation involving a researcher and a research participant, we engage with the ethical implications of the unpredictabilities of this relationship when conducting research in conflict and post-conflict contexts. Through a conservative application of the precautionary principle that prohibits change of all involved in the research process, presuming change (always) implies harm, scholars to date have overlooked the ethical challenges that stem from the unpredictability of the interview method. In turn, this perspective has limited our ability to capture and mitigate possible forms of harm, undermining the legitimacy and appropriateness of existing ethical guidelines. We argue for a deliberative and iterative approach to understandings of harm and harm thresholds in interview research. This argument draws on recent debates on the precautionary principle in natural sciences, which address the unpredictabilities of research, allowing us to think about change in ways that is ethical.

Exploring Ethical Dimensions Associated with ‘Pushing for PINs’ and Probing: A Critical Commentary on Key Features of the Biographical Narrative Interpretive Method (BNIM) with ‘Vulnerable’ and Other Populations

“…Although informed consent is difficult to make absolute in many cases, because research topics involve much complexity and/or because the responses of all participants to being involved in research can never be fully predicted (Kostovicova & Knott, 2020), informed consent, considerations about how much one should probe into people’s privacy and personal lives, and preventing harm to participants, are key ethical precepts (Renzetti & Lee, 1993; Kazmierska, 2005). All these issues therefore, should be accorded more dialogue in relation to BNIM, and are particularly important for vulnerable groups.…”

“…As neither the researcher nor the participant can predict what will emerge during biographical interviews (Kortocivca and Knott, 2020), researchers should therefore deploy models of continuous or process consent rather than seeing it as a one-off signature prior to the research (Kazmierska, 2005; Allmark et al, 2009). Rosenthal (2003) outlines general features of biographic narrative interviews, arguing that the second interview phase, corresponding broadly to BNIM sub-session II is of ‘great advantage to traumatised people’ (p. 918) encouraging them to make sense of life phases and situations.…”

Caught between COVID-19, Coup and Conflict—What Future for Myanmar Higher Education Reforms?

“…them as moral teachers, teachers can be teachers, which will be difficult for Non-CDMers. (HE-YNSN) This research aimed to capture views of those caught between COVID-19, the coup and on-going conflict in a sensitive way, allowing their voices to be heard and their safety to be maintained [84]. It adds to the literature on universities as sites of civil disobedience and unrest in fragile states [85,86].…”

Practical Considerations in Qualitative Health Research During the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Based on the novel and varied experiences obtained while conducting virtual qualitative research studies by the diverse group of authors of this article, below are some pointers that need to be considered by the researchers and the IRB members who review and approve QHR study protocols. The responsibility of researchers to “do no harm” has long been a tenet of ethical research ( Kostovicova & Knott, 2020 ). Therefore, the qualitative health researcher should ensure privacy and confidentiality by emphasizing that the online interview or focus group be conducted in a private room, to reduce distraction and minimize the chances of others overhearing the conversation with the researcher.…”

“…The responsibility of researchers to “do no harm” has long been a tenet of ethical research ( Kostovicova & Knott, 2020 ). Therefore, the qualitative health researcher should ensure privacy and confidentiality by emphasizing that the online interview or focus group be conducted in a private room, to reduce distraction and minimize the chances of others overhearing the conversation with the researcher.…”