Ethical and practical challenges of participant observation in sensitive health research

Watts, Jacqueline H. (2010). Ethical and practical challenges of participant observation in sensitive health research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 14(4) pp. 301–312.

Full text available as:

Preview

PDF (Accepted Manuscript) - Requires a PDF viewer such as GSview, Xpdf or Adobe Acrobat Reader
Download (111Kb)

DOI (Digital Object Identifier) Link:	http://dx.doi.org/doi:10.1080/13645579.2010.517658
Google Scholar:	Look up in Google Scholar

Abstract

Participant observation is now increasingly used within qualitative health research and has been found to offer opportunities for the collection and synthesis of rich data about health and illness experience. This method, often used over an extended period, enables the researcher to build an in-depth understanding of the research context and can be the basis for the development of relationships between the researcher and the 'researched'. Researcher familiarity in the field, however, can give rise to ethical and practical tensions. This article reports on the ethical and practical challenges of participant observation at a cancer drop-in centre focusing on issues connected to the dual role of the researcher as both volunteer and researcher. It highlights the methodological practice of reflexivity as one way of the researcher maintaining an ongoing ethically engaged presence in the field.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Copyright Holders:	2010 Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	1464-5300
Keywords:	cancer; ethics; ethnography; participant observation; practical challenges; researcher and volunteer roles
Academic Unit/Department:	Health and Social Care
Item ID:	23230
Depositing User:	Jacqueline H. Watts
Date Deposited:	23 Sep 2010 08:32
Last Modified:	12 Feb 2013 05:22
URI:	http://oro.open.ac.uk/id/eprint/23230

Actions (login may be required)

	View Item
	Report issue / request change

Policies | Disclaimer