Doing research in conflict contexts: practical and ethical challenges for researchers when conducting fieldwork

Abstract

Within social psychology, fieldwork in conflict settings is still not commonplace, despite recent calls for more researchers to engage in fieldwork to understand conflict dynamics. With this article, we wish to emphasize the importance of conducting fieldwork to the future of psychological science, while simultaneously acknowledging the challenges such research entails. We approach the subject as "outsiders," and consider a number of important factors that researchers in that position should be aware of before entering a conflict situation. We have chosen the issues we believe to be the main challenges and those which are most in need of discussion prior to outsiders conducting fieldwork in conflict contexts. These issues are listed as either practical or ethical. Practical concerns include the following: (a) actual and perceived safety of researchers and participants, (b) the complexities of getting research permits, (c) identities of the researcher, (d) social and cultural script, and (e) language barriers between researchers and participants. Ethical concerns necessary to take into account in conflict contexts include but are not limited to (a) getting informed consent, (b) recording interviews, (c) avoiding psychological harm to respondents, (d) psychological demands of research for the research team, and (e) giving back to the respondents. With a need for more conflict research within social psychology, we hope to contribute to an increase in the work done in such contexts as well as the general discussions of such experiences.