Research Ethics

Participants should understand, in a manner appropriate to the study, who is conducting it, why they were selected, what will be requested, expected duration, risks and benefits, how information will be used, whether recording or recontact is requested, and that participation is voluntary.

• Clear and appropriate language.
• Opportunity to ask questions.
• No false implication that participation determines service or assistance.
• Consent documentation proportionate to risk.
• Renewed consent where purpose or use changes materially.

• No pressure arising from need, employment, or institutional relationships.
• Participants may refuse participation or a question without unjustified penalty.
• Interviews may end when fatigue, distress, or danger arises.
• Explain what can be withdrawn after collection and what cannot be separated after anonymization.

Potential harm includes psychological, social, political, security, legal, and economic risk—not only physical harm. Questions, interview location, contact method, researcher identity, recording, storage, reporting, and consequences of third-party discovery are reviewed.

• Clear justification for inclusion and absence of a lower-risk source.
• Guardian permission where required and child assent according to age and capacity.
• Trained researchers and appropriate language.
• Clear safeguarding and referral procedures.
• No unnecessary details that expose a child or family.
• Attention to authority, dependency, and aid relationships.

Research may reveal violence, protection, health, misconduct, or immediate risk. Sensitive questions require a plan specifying what is collected, who may access it, confidentiality limits, referral, response to direct danger, and conditions for stopping the interview.

• Use a location and contact method that do not expose participation.
• Avoid unnecessary names or identifying details in notes.
• Separate contact information from responses.
• Use codes and restricted permissions.
• Transfer files through appropriate channels.
• Prevent small cells or detailed reporting from identifying people.

Reasonable compensation for time or cost may be appropriate, but should not be so large that it induces acceptance of risks a person would ordinarily reject. Compensation is explained before participation and not tied to a particular response.

Deception is considered only in very limited circumstances where scientifically necessary, no practical alternative exists, risk is acceptable, review is appropriate, and debriefing is provided. It is not used to conceal a commercial or political sponsor for influence or marketing collection.

Review is proportionate to risk and may involve documented internal review, independent review, or a competent committee. Material changes to population, topic, collection mode, use, or risk require renewed review.

• Assess participant and researcher risk.
• Use communication, movement, and stop-work plans.
• Do not interview in the presence of a person threatening privacy.
• Do not pressure researchers to meet quotas in unsafe conditions.
• Report incidents without automatic blame.

Participants should be able to ask questions, complain, or request no further contact. Complaints are reviewed in good faith, complainant identity is restricted, retaliation is prohibited, and corrective action is taken where necessary.

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