Researching care leavers in an ethical manner in Switzerland, Germany, Israel and China

Abstract

The aim of this chapter is to explore what constitutes an ethical approach to researching youths leaving care by identifying core ethical principles, and examining the challenges of maintaining an ethical culture in the fieldwork. The discussions are supported with case studies from four countries: China, Germany, Israel and Switzerland. The discussion of the basic procedures follows the research chronology of entering the field, completing the interview and leaving the field. In the following section, it draws attention to the importance of developing professional relationships, assessing and managing risks and empowering looked-after youth. These case studies, from different countries, illustrate that the ethical challenge is common in the international context, and that cultural differences can be an important factor in certain circumstances.