What are some best practices for conducting case studies with vulnerable populations?

Igual podríamos contar las personas grabando con drones.Pero¿eso es legal?

Mener une étude de cas auprès de populations vulnérables exige rigueur, sensibilité et éthique. Voici les pratiques clés que j’applique : Consentement éclairé : en langage clair, sans pression, avec retrait possible à tout moment. Approche centrée sur la personne : co-construire l’étude avec des relais locaux, respecter les cultures et croiser les facteurs de vulnérabilité (genre, âge, handicap…). Méthodologie rigoureuse : guides d’entretien adaptés, testés, traduits culturellement, enquêteurs formés à l’écoute et aux biais. Confidentialité : anonymisation dès la collecte, protection des données, transparence sur leur usage. Restitution : partager les résultats dans un format accessible et utile pour les personnes concernées.

I believe that one time consent might not be enough in this case. Consent should not be a one-time event. Continuously check in with participants to ensure they still agree to participate and understand their rights.

Build trust through sustained engagement: Establishing genuine, long-term relationships with participants is crucial. Vulnerable communities may have historical reasons to distrust researchers. Take time to understand their context, include community voices in shaping the study design, and ensure participants feel heard throughout the process, not just during data collection. This approach not only enhances ethical integrity but also improves the quality and relevance of the findings.

"Uma boa prática que sempre aplico é envolver representantes da comunidade desde o planejamento do estudo. Isso não só fortalece a confiança, como garante que a abordagem e a linguagem sejam culturalmente apropriadas. Além disso, usar métodos participativos pode empoderar os participantes e enriquecer os dados coletados.

I would summarize by saying that maintaining ethical standards in any arena, not just with case studies, is an exercise in creating strong and healthy relationships. Here's a three-part ABC inquiry that can be used as a quick and effective checklist for gauging this: Am I? Are we? * Adhering to rigorous integrity? * Building trust through transparency and respect? * Creating a safe space to encourage participation and agency? A "No" or "I'm not sure" in response to any one of these questions indicates a potential weak spot that may need recalibration.

I'd add a couple more suggestions: 1. Using tailored communication. Adapt communication methods to suit the needs of the vulnerable population. This might include using visual aids, simplified language, or translators to ensure participants fully understand the study. 2. Including feedback mechanisms. Create channels for participants to provide feedback about the study process. This can help in identifying and addressing any issues that arise during the study. 3. Ensuring that participants feel empowered. Empower participants by involving them in the research process. This can include seeking their input on study design, data collection methods, and interpretation of results.