Interviewing Participants about Sensitive Topics

Data Collection

Apr 17

The Methodspace focus for Q2 of 2023 is on data collection. This 2022 interview about interviewing offers some important insights for those who want to collect data about sensitive problems.

How can you carry out an interview when participants are talking about trauma or abuse? How should you respond when participants are emotional? Bethany Morgan Brett and Katy Wheeler wrote a practical guide for interview research, How to Do Qualitative Interviewing. Learn tips you can use in your own research, especially when you are studying touchy problems or are interviewing vulnerable participants. This clearly-written guide will be beneficial whether you are conducting academic or informal research.

If you are interested in purchasing the book, use code MSPACEQ223 for a 20% discount through the end of June 2023.

More Methodspace posts about doing research on sensitive topics

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Robert Kozinets, Sensitive, Qualitative, collecting data online, Online Research, January 2024, Q1-24

Studying Difficult Topics with Netnography

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These difficult times present challenges for researchers. Find five original posts by Robert Kozinets about using Netnography to study sensitive topics.

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Q2, June 2023, LGBTQ, Pride, Sensitive

Studying LGBT+ Lived Experiences

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For Pride Month 2023, learn respectful ways to study LGBTQ+ people and related issues.

Q2, June 2023, LGBTQ, Pride, Sensitive

Katy Wheeler, Bethany Brett, Sensitive, March 2022, April 2022, April 2023, Interviews, Relevance

Interviewing Participants about Sensitive Topics

Katy Wheeler, Bethany Brett, Sensitive, March 2022, April 2022, April 2023, Interviews, Relevance

Interviewing participants in difficult or emotional situations? Learn from Bethany Morgan Brett and Katy Wheeler.

Katy Wheeler, Bethany Brett, Sensitive, March 2022, April 2022, April 2023, Interviews, Relevance

Q2, April 2023, Sensitive, Vulnerable

Recruiting Hard-to-Reach or Vulnerable Participants

Q2, April 2023, Sensitive, Vulnerable

Protection of vulnerable populations, or those who are vulnerable in particular situations, needs to begin with the first stage of the process: recruitment of participants.

Q2, April 2023, Sensitive, Vulnerable

Q2, April 2023, Vulnerable, Sensitive

Respondent Driven Sampling

Q2, April 2023, Vulnerable, Sensitive

Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) is a method for drawing probability samples of "hidden," or alternatively, hard-to-reach, populations. Find a description and examples.

Q2, April 2023, Vulnerable, Sensitive

Q1, February 2023, LGBTQ, Sensitive, Safety, Academic Freedom, Pride

Psychological Safety for Researchers

Q1, February 2023, LGBTQ, Sensitive, Safety, Academic Freedom, Pride

Dr. Cindy Veldhuis discusses the need for attention to researcher safety for those who study LGBTQ+ issues.

Q1, February 2023, LGBTQ, Sensitive, Safety, Academic Freedom, Pride

Indigenous Methods, Research Skills, webinar, Crosscultural, Culture, Sensitive, October 2022

Indigenous and Intercultural Research: Issues, Ethics, and Methods

Indigenous Methods, Research Skills, webinar, Crosscultural, Culture, Sensitive, October 2022

Interested in Indigenous methods? Find the webinar recording and related resources in this post.

Indigenous Methods, Research Skills, webinar, Crosscultural, Culture, Sensitive, October 2022

Disability, Disability Pride Month, Jessica Mannion, Sensitive, July 2022

We are proud to be researchers with disabilities

Disability, Disability Pride Month, Jessica Mannion, Sensitive, July 2022

The focus of this post is the co-researchers’ journey of working together as a co-operative inquiry research team. They highlight ways in which research can be inclusive and accessible to co-inquirers with intellectual disabilities who are new to research

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Tempered Radicalism as Embodied Research Intervention: Reflections from within a Maligned and Necessary Identity

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Andre Samuels reflects on his experiences as a Black doctoral student and researcher at the University of Pennsylvania.

Sensitive, March 2022, Sharon Ravitch, student research projects, Youth

Sensitive, SAGE Journals, Risk, March 2022, Relevance

Studying Risky Behaviors or Settings

Sensitive, SAGE Journals, Risk, March 2022, Relevance

Risky or illegal behaviors can be challenging to study - and concerning for researcher safety. See this collection of open access articles for examples.

Sensitive, SAGE Journals, Risk, March 2022, Relevance

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One Demographic, Many Realities: Youth Leaders Call-in to Researchers

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Researchers studying the experiences of youth can benefit from their perspectives. This post from high school students includes their tips for researchers.

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Sensitive, Helen Kara, March 2022, Relevance, Self care, SAGE Journals

Self-Care and Well-being for Researchers Studying Sensitive Issues

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Self-care is essential when studying painful, sad, difficult experiences or situations. Find strategies and tips in this video from Dr. Helen Kara and collection of open-access articles.

Sensitive, Helen Kara, March 2022, Relevance, Self care, SAGE Journals