Three ethnographies detailing the undercover operations by Schreper-Hughes (2004) in studying organ trafficking, the evolution of Hallett’s (2013) relationship with a homeless teenager, and the revealing of Wolcott’s (2009) sexual relationship with me with more questions than answers with regards to defining ethical research. Where do the lines blur on ethical research? When does a study stop being research and become a personal mission?
It seems only natural that when people (researcher and subject) spend extended periods of time together there is potential for intimacy to develop. The researcher has to set the parameters for what that intimacy will look like. Hallett’s (2013) work does not become ‘bad research’ because he interrupted the life of this young person by being a resource for support. However, his actions do bring a new variable into the research that must be openly discussed which Hallett (2013) does. Likewise, Schreper-Hughes (2004) acknowledges her role in affecting the research. She describes how the lines between research and investigative journalism are blurred.
However, Wolcott (2009) moved beyond blurring to crossing the line when he engaged in a sexual relationship with the young homeless man. Sex can be such a powerful tool for exploitation and those in positions of authority or stature should take care to not engage with those they researching. We can learn a lot from Wolcott’s (1983) earlier work with Brad but the sexual relationship discredits his work.
Regarding Wolcott’s work (2009) and the sexual relationship, I do ponder what people’s reaction might have been if Wolcott was a female professor. I believe the homophobic tendencies of mainstream society most likely fueled this fire even further.
References
Hallett, R. E. (2013). Interrupting life history: Evolution of a relationship within the research
process. The Qualitative Report, 18(14), 1-16.
Scheper-Hughes, N. (2004). Parts unknown: Undercover ethnography of organs-trafficking
underworld. Ethnography, 5, 29-73.
Wolcott, H. F. (1983). Adequate schools and inadequate education: The life history of a
sneaky kid. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 14(1), 3-32.
Wolcott, H. F. (2009). Overdetermined behavior, unforeseen consequences. Qualitative
Inquiry.
It seems only natural that when people (researcher and subject) spend extended periods of time together there is potential for intimacy to develop. The researcher has to set the parameters for what that intimacy will look like. Hallett’s (2013) work does not become ‘bad research’ because he interrupted the life of this young person by being a resource for support. However, his actions do bring a new variable into the research that must be openly discussed which Hallett (2013) does. Likewise, Schreper-Hughes (2004) acknowledges her role in affecting the research. She describes how the lines between research and investigative journalism are blurred.
However, Wolcott (2009) moved beyond blurring to crossing the line when he engaged in a sexual relationship with the young homeless man. Sex can be such a powerful tool for exploitation and those in positions of authority or stature should take care to not engage with those they researching. We can learn a lot from Wolcott’s (1983) earlier work with Brad but the sexual relationship discredits his work.
Regarding Wolcott’s work (2009) and the sexual relationship, I do ponder what people’s reaction might have been if Wolcott was a female professor. I believe the homophobic tendencies of mainstream society most likely fueled this fire even further.
References
Hallett, R. E. (2013). Interrupting life history: Evolution of a relationship within the research
process. The Qualitative Report, 18(14), 1-16.
Scheper-Hughes, N. (2004). Parts unknown: Undercover ethnography of organs-trafficking
underworld. Ethnography, 5, 29-73.
Wolcott, H. F. (1983). Adequate schools and inadequate education: The life history of a
sneaky kid. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 14(1), 3-32.
Wolcott, H. F. (2009). Overdetermined behavior, unforeseen consequences. Qualitative
Inquiry.