Book Review

Abstract

De Laine , M. Fieldwork, Participation and Practice: Ethics and Dilemmas in Qualitative Research . London, Thousand Oaks, New Delhi : Sage Publications , 2000 , £18.99 and £55.00 , 231pp . ISBN 0761954872 (pbk), 0761954864 (hbk) . This book provides a comprehensive overview of ethical developments in fieldwork practice by reflecting on the role of the researcher in the research process and critically discussing a wealth of examples and seminal works. The aims of the book are ‘to promote an understanding of the harmful possibilities of fieldwork and to foster ways to deal with ethical and practical dilemmas’ (p. 4). De Laine points out that there are no wrong or right decisions, only decisions that are thoughtfully made. The author discusses ethical dilemmas in a thoughtful and thought-provoking way, stressing the importance of reflecting on the research process by increasing awareness of, and coping with differences in, one's own ethical codes and professional ethical standards. She promotes the use of a concept she terms ‘moral career’ as a framework for investigating one's own moral conceptions, especially in relation to perception of fieldwork and the self. In other words, she argues that it is important to reflect carefully on the moral implications of simply ‘being a researcher’. De Laine argues that the previous perspective on ethical practice in fieldwork was guided by an absolutist and relativistic framework, based on the assumption that the researcher and the research process are objective. However, she points out that there is an emerging debate about what researchers consider ethics to be, stimulated by heightened interest into sensitive research topics and qualitative research. Each of the chapters provides examples of pitfalls and dilemmas likely to confront the researcher, and describes ways to resolve them. Ethical dilemmas are described as ‘lived experiences’ which do not have to be obstructions to data collection but can be an opportunity for change and self-reflection. A dramaturgical approach to describe and investigate social phenomena is used throughout the book because ‘appearance’ and ‘management of self’ are seen as an important part of managing social interactions. The first chapter deals with the issue of moral choice using seminal work by Ditton, Schwandt and Goffman. By drawing on their work, it suggests ways to investigate and reflect on one's fieldwork practice and the conceptualisation of oneself within the research process. The next chapter discusses ‘access’ into what De Laine calls ‘back regions’ (of social establishments and the mind). This includes suggestions about how to cope with different roles and relationships (impression management). The next section focuses on sensitive topics and the problems which can arise when crossing the boundaries of public and private space. Chapter 5 looks at the strengths and weaknesses of different modes of involvement in the research process. There are various types of role a researcher might play, ranging from peripheral to complete participant, which have different ethical ramifications for the researcher. The next chapter discusses how to deal with the different interests and agendas of various parties in the research process. Different expectations and demands could lead to conflicts of interest which the researcher must address carefully. Chapter 7 focuses on the importance of reflecting on the role of the researcher when making field notes. De Laine suggests that each step of fieldwork is affected by the development of interpersonal contingencies in the setting, which might put the researcher under stress. Chapter 8 looks at textual management of self and others. It reminds the reader to be mindful of possible dilemmas when disclosing information to audiences. The conclusion section is tightly written and draws together the various strands discussed throughout the book in a clear manner. This book should be of interest not only to the qualitative researcher, but also to the quantitative researcher who wants to promote critical and reflective ethical practice. A recent item in the British Medical Journal (Marwick 2002 325: 356) provides an example of the importance of airing and discussing ethical dilemmas in quantitative practice. The report discusses a decline of public confidence in clinical research studies and suggests it may be due to a failure fully to inform the public about trials. Although not everyone might agree with the conclusions drawn by De Laine, who argues for a participatory research approach, the book is thought provoking and stimulates reflections on one's ethical research practices. The book is tightly and comprehensively written and should be of interest to the new researcher as well as to the more experienced one.