What this lesson teaches
I can address consent, privacy, practical limits and risks in fieldwork.
Syllabus 8834, Fieldwork, 1. Pre-fieldwork stage. Students should be able to develop a plan that: addresses possible issues related to research ethics and the limitations imposed by resources; minimises potential risks in undertaking fieldwork.
Make a guess
Halfway through a questionnaire, a resident says they want to stop. What should you do?
- Thank them and stop.
- Ask them to finish, since they already started.
- Fill in the rest with likely answers.
- Keep asking quietly until they answer.
Show the answer
Thank them and stop.
Taking part is voluntary. People can skip questions or stop at any time, and their choice must be respected.
Good fieldwork protects participants and researchers, and is honest about what the method cannot do.
Research ethics means treating participants fairly. Explain why you are asking, how answers will be used and that taking part is voluntary. Ask before recording or photographing people. Let them skip questions or stop. Do not collect names or home addresses unless truly needed.
Use language and formats people understand. An online-only survey leaves out people without internet. Questions about income or health can be sensitive, so explain why you ask and allow people not to answer. Avoid describing a whole neighbourhood through stereotypes.
Identify risks before visiting, like traffic, heat, uneven ground, water and weather. Use safe spots, supervision, sensible timings and a clear rule for when to stop. Never enter floodwater to get better data. Records or observations from a safe public spot can answer a narrower question instead.
Time, staff, money and equipment are limited. Shrink the study area or number of variables, rather than promising data you cannot collect well. Record what you left out, so your conclusion stays in proportion.
- Informed consent
- Explain the purpose; taking part is voluntary.
- Risk control
- Name each hazard and how to reduce it.
- Resources
- Fit the plan to your time, staff and equipment.
Step by step
Ask and explain
Voluntary, informed participation.
Assess and control
Name each hazard and when to stop.
Keep it feasible
Match sites and variables to resources.
Worked example: A specific safety rule
Instead of "be careful near roads", plan interviews away from crossings, keep paths clear and move between planned sites on the pavement. Stop if conditions become unsafe.
Watch out for this
Someone who starts a survey must finish it.
Taking part stays voluntary. Record incomplete answers honestly.
Check your understanding
A participant does not want their home photographed. What should you do?
- Tell them the project needs every photo.
- Respect their choice and use another method.
- Take it from farther away without telling them.
Show the answer
Respect their choice and use another method.
Yes. Consent must be respected.