From adversaries to allies: Ethical review in the context of visual and other innovative methods

Abstract

Obtaining ethical approval is often seen by researchers as a hurdle that must be jumped before getting on with the real work of doing research. The process is often lengthy, concerned with minutia and may sometimes delay or obstruct important new studies. This threat is especially imminent when researchers propose innovative approaches to studying sensitive topics, adopt unusual methodological strategies and/or attempt to create new kinds of working relationships with vulnerable participants. Or so the adversarial story of researchers and research ethics committees goes. This chapter identifies a range of strategies supporting an alternative paradigm for ethical review. In this paradigm research ethics committees, researchers and research participants engage in dialogue and become allies to ensure that research is ethically as well as methodologically sound.