Ethical Dilemmas in Qualitative Research Methodology: Researcher’s Reflections

Year 2018, , 19 - 28, 01.02.2018

Nomazulu Ngozwana

https://doi.org/10.12973/ijem.4.1.19

Abstract

This article examines the ethical dilemmas that are specific to qualitative research methodology. These dilemmas concern the issues of withdrawal from the study, anonymity and confidentiality, which are discussed. Each aspect examines how it was dealt with using the researcher’s reflections. The research was positioned within an interpretive paradigm and used the small scale qualitative research design in one rural and one urban contexts of Lesotho. Purposive and snowball sampling were used to select the participants from the larger population. Using a semi-structured interview guide, participants were interviewed individually while others were engaged in focus group discussions. A lesson learnt is that ethics in methodology, when conducting research in an African context, do not always follow what is proposed in the Western literature. It is recommended that a context should be considered when applying ethics in qualitative research studies in Africa since some ethics in research are context-specific.

Keywords

Ethical dilemmas, qualitative research methodology, withdrawal, anonymity, confidentiality

References

• Anthony, A.K. and Danaher, W.F. (2016). Rules of the road: doing fieldwork and negotiating interactions with hesitant public figures. Qualitative Research, 16(4), 392-410.
• Barbour, R. (2009). Doing Focus Groups. London: Sage Publications.
• Blaxter, L., Hughes, C., and Tight, M. (2006). How to Research. Maidenhead: Open University Press.
• Chilisa, B., and Preece, J. (2005). Research Methods for Adult Educators in Africa. African Perspectives on Adult Learning. Hamburg: UNESCO Institute for Education.
• Cohen, L., Manion, L., and Morrison, K. (2009). Research Methods in Education. New York: Routledge.
• De Vos, A. S. (2001). Research at Grass Roots: A primer for the caring professions. Pretoria: Van Schaik.
• Department of Health, South Africa (2015). Ethics in research: principles, processes, structures. Pretoria: National Health Research Ethics Council, 9 – 17.
• Gray, A. (2003). Research Practice for Cultural Studies. London: Sage Publications.
• Jackson, L. S. (2008). Research Methods. A Modular Approach. Belmont CA: Thomson Wadworth.
• Kiyimba, N. and O’Reilly, M. (2016). The risk of secondary traumatic stress in the qualitative transcription process: a research note. Qualitative Research, Vol 16(4), 468-476.
• Lekoko, R., and Modise, O. M. (2011). An insight into an African Perspective on Lifelong Learning: Towards promoting functional compensatory programmes. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 30(1), 5 - 18.
• McMillan, J. H., and Schumacher, S. (2006). Research in Education: Evidence-based Inquiry (6th ed.). Cape Town: Pearson.
• MoHSW (2009). Lesotho demographic and health survey. Maseru: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
• Patton, M. Q. (1990). Qualitative Evaluation Research Methods. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
• Patton, M. Q. (2002). Qualitative Research and Evaluation Methods (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks CA: Sage.
• Preece, J., Lekhetho,M., Rantekoa,M., &Makau,M. (2009). Non-formal education and vocational skills: Two case studies of Lesotho. Roma: National University of Lesotho.
• Rakotsoane, F. C. L., and Rakotsoane, M. A. (2006). The ABC of Research Project Dissertation and Thesis Proposal Writing. Maseru: Choice Publishing Company.
• Rozakis, L. E. (2004). Research Methods. New York: Alpha.
• Rule, P., and John, V. (2011). Your Guide to Case Study Research. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers.
• Singh, S. and Wassenaar, D.R. (2016). Contextualising the role of the gatekeeper in social science research. South African Journal of Bioethics and Law, 9(1), 42 – 46.
• Trahar, S. (2006). Narrative Research on Learning: comparative and international perspectives. London: Symposium Books.
• UNESCO. (2009). Global Report on adult learning and education. Paris, France: UNESCO Institute of Lifelong Learning.
• Waghid, Y. (2014). African Philosophy of Education Reconsidered on being human. London and New York: Routledge Taylor and Francis Group.
• Welman, J. C., and Kruger, S. J. (2001). Research Methodology: For the business and administrative sciences. (2 ed.). Cape Town: Oxford University Press.