What ethical considerations from a social work perspective should be taken into account when analyzing qualitative data? Give an example of each.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Privacy, confidentiality, and anonymity—it can be difficult to present a rich description in a case study while at the same time not identifying the setting. It can be easy for participants in the study to identify each other in a qualitative description, even if outsiders cannot. Qualitative researchers should negotiate with participants early in the study the approach that will be taken to protect privacy and maintain confidentiality. Intervention and advocacy—maintaining what is called “guilty knowledge” may force the researcher to suppress some parts of the analysis so as not to disclose the wrongful behavior, but presenting “what really happened” in a report may prevent ongoing access and violate understandings with participant. Research integrity and quality—real analyses have real consequences, so you owe it to yourself and those you study to adhere strictly to the analysis methods that you believe will produce authentic, valid conclusions. Ownership of data and conclusions—these concerns arise in any social research with participants in the setting studied make conflicts of interest between different stakeholders that are much more difficult to resolve. Use and misuse of results—it is prudent to develop understandings early in the project with all major stakeholders that specify what actions will be taken to encourage appropriate use of project results and to respond to what is considered misuse of these results