This Article Full Text (PDF) References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Johnson, B. Articles by Clarke, J. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Johnson, B. Articles by Clarke, J. M. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Collecting Sensitive Data: The Impact on Researchers

Jill Macleod Clarke

The authors undertook an exploratory study to identify issues that arose for researchers while conducting fieldwork. Ten researchers engaged in "sensitive" inquiry were purposefully sampled and encouraged to talk about their experiences during the data collection process. Interviews were transcribed and common themes identified. The findings indicate that these researchers experienced a number of difficulties that centered around issues of lack of training, confidentiality, role conflict, costs to the participants, the desire for reciprocity, and feelings of isolation. The authors discuss the implications of the findings, including the need for support for researchers for further research.

Key Words: sensitive research • sensitive issues • fieldwork • interviewing • health and illness

Qualitative Health Research, Vol. 13, No. 3, 421-434 (2003)
DOI: 10.1177/1049732302250340


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?

This article has been cited by other articles:

				J. Coles Qualitative Study of Breastfeeding After Childhood Sexual Assault J Hum Lact, August 1, 2009; 25(3): 317 - 324. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. Dickson-Swift, E. L. James, S. Kippen, and P. Liamputtong Researching sensitive topics: qualitative research as emotion work Qualitative Research, February 1, 2009; 9(1): 61 - 79. [Abstract] [PDF]

				H. Sampson, M. Bloor, and B. Fincham A Price Worth Paying?: Considering the `Cost' of Reflexive Research Methods and the Influence of Feminist Ways of `Doing' Sociology, October 1, 2008; 42(5): 919 - 933. [Abstract] [PDF]

				B. Fincham, J. Scourfield, and S. Langer The Impact of Working with Disturbing Secondary Data: Reading Suicide Files in a Coroner's Office Qual Health Res, June 1, 2008; 18(6): 853 - 862. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. Dickson-Swift, E. L. James, S. Kippen, and P. Liamputtong Risk to Researchers in Qualitative Research on Sensitive Topics: Issues and Strategies Qual Health Res, January 1, 2008; 18(1): 133 - 144. [Abstract] [PDF]

				N. Wray, M. Markovic, and L. Manderson "Researcher Saturation": The Impact of Data Triangulation and Intensive-Research Practices on the Researcher and Qualitative Research Process Qual Health Res, December 1, 2007; 17(10): 1392 - 1402. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. Dickson-Swift, E. L. James, S. Kippen, and P. Liamputtong Doing sensitive research: what challenges do qualitative researchers face? Qualitative Research, August 1, 2007; 7(3): 327 - 353. [Abstract] [PDF]

				V. Dickson-Swift, E. L. James, S. Kippen, and P. Liamputtong Blurring Boundaries in Qualitative Health Research on Sensitive Topics Qual Health Res, July 1, 2006; 16(6): 853 - 871. [Abstract] [PDF]

				R. F. Hess Postabortion Research: Methodological and Ethical Issues Qual Health Res, April 1, 2006; 16(4): 580 - 587. [Abstract] [PDF]

				C. Benoit, M. Jansson, A. Millar, and R. Phillips Community-Academic Research on Hard-to-Reach Populations: Benefits and Challenges Qual Health Res, February 1, 2005; 15(2): 263 - 282. [Abstract] [PDF]