Collectively written by: Gabrielle Mahabeer; Alie Goldblatt; and Anna Prior

Preamble

We have created this code of ethics as a guide for us to return to throughout our research processes. This code of ethics will help us remain reflective of our positionality in the world, in relation to our research and beyond as we commit to continued self-reflection, growth, and curiosity. This is not meant to be an exhaustive list of dos and don’ts, but rather scaffolding for the creation of thoughtful and meaningful social and research practices, community connections, and research products for the engaged social scientist researcher. 

  1. Developing Research Plans: Research design regardless of method or location shall work to reduce any threat or harm to participants and researchers alike. Researchers and participants have the right to assess risks and impact of participation in research and determine when and if the research or their participation will be suspended. Research questions should be developed from and reflective of a genuine desire to connect with participants, who will be seen as active participants in the research processes and equal to the researcher(s). 
  2. Recruitment of Participants: Being reflective of researcher(s) positionality in relation to the participants and their social groups. Being a researcher in and of itself can be a position of power, especially when acting as gatekeeper to benefits imbued upon individuals due to their participation in research or when individuals are members of groups that are historically or culturally related through oppression/oppressive dynamics. In no way should one threaten, harm, trick, deceive, or coerce any interlocutor or participant and/or their loved ones into your work. Should one offer participants compensation for participation or any other rewards, ensure that these rewards are not powerful enough to completely sway a person’s decision in favor of the research product. 
  3. Recruitment of Research Partners: When working with members of a different race or culture, work to ensure that you conduct holistic research by partnering with a researcher who is also member of that community or consider calling on participants to be more active members of the research team where and when possible. 
  4. Consideration of Location or Research Sites: Honor the sanctity, regulations, and history of the lands, places and spaces. Honor the expertise and wisdom of the inhabitants and the land’s natives- all of the natives. Ethnographers should be working to reimagine all spaces as interconnected and historical, allowing for a more accurate and inclusive politics of community, solidarity, identity, and cultural difference (which is viewed through the lens of connection).
  5. Research Relationships: When interacting with participants, fellow researchers, and individuals in the communities we move through, beyond assuming ethical pluralism and cross cultural awareness for individuals we initially see as other to our known social groups, approach all people with an open mind. Do not let the belief that you “know” or “understand” keep you from being fully present and engaged with the people around you (whether it be in a “real” world or a virtual one).
  6. Continuous Consent: During fieldwork it is crucial to maintain a consistent and sustained commitment to informed consent. Understand the context and circumstances while determining the most appropriate method of obtaining consent from research participants. One should be careful to not assume that initial consent is wholly binding – beyond formal consent processes requested for Internal Review Board sanction of the research, know that commitment or consent to participation in research is ongoing and can be withdrawn or qualified at any point and that it is the job of the researcher to hear the concerns and respect the boundaries presented to them as they become apparent. 
  7. Data Analysis: Data analysis is an ongoing process. Do not expect to find a tidy conclusion. Research is messy, like life, and when revisited will almost certainly show something new (e.g., A Thrice Told Tale by Margery Wolf). When possible work to stagger and extend your data analysis throughout the process of data collection and expect the analysis to change your perspective and influence further research collection. Carefully consider any exclusions of information from research products, being reflective of the reasoning behind such decisions (e.g. safety of a participant or researcher may be a valid reason for exclusion, while muddying a narrative or complicating a desired picture would not).
  8. Be Flexible: Throughout the research process, particularly when conducting interviews and engaging in participant observation, actively listen to participants and be flexible with original research “goals” or “questions.” Once at your site your questions may be more like a round hole for a square peg… do not force peoples experiences into your boxes – this is a harmful form of “representation” that prioritizes your research product and not the participants or societal stakes or potential impact of the research.
  9. Research Products and Distribution: Data dissemination should be as accessible as possible. Consider how to make research products available to participants and/or co-produced with participants (e.g. community editing) whether this is a written or multimedia product. Remain open to feedback, concerns, and corrections, not ending with publication. No matter what copyright laws say, research products are not solely your property or that of any institution providing funding or support. Consider publishing open access when possible and working to engage with publications beyond academic journals to share the research products, broaden the potential for societal impact, and diversify the conversation.