Protecting interview participants from distress after sensitive research is complete
In short: Researchers exploring sensitive topics like family life often encounter unexpected emotions. An analysis of oral history and sociology literature found that ethical responsibilities extend far beyond the interview itself, suggesting that the 'afterlife' of an interview requires specific safeguards to prevent ongoing harm to narrators.
By tracing ethical issues through the various stages of qualitative research, the author proposes three strategies to protect participants: using self-interviews, conducting post-interview follow-ups, and practicing an ethics of reciprocity. However, the article's findings are based on a review of existing literature rather than new empirical data.
Why it matters: Ethical research design must account for the emotional impact on participants even after the interview has ended.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Leahy (2021). The afterlife of interviews: explicit ethics and subtle ethics in sensitive or distressing qualitative research. Qualitative Research.
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