Collecting sensitive data: the impact on researchers.
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.
Johnson
Barbara
B
St. Bartholomew School of Nursing and Midwifery, London, England.
Clarke
Jill Macleod
JM
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; D001293:Attitude to Death; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms; D024382:Professional Role; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012108:Research Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D035844:Researcher-Subject Relations; D019452:Terminally Ill