Ethics in qualitative social research on marginalized groups

Abstract

This paper discusses some ethical issues in qualitative research on marginalized groups, such as intellectually disabled women. These kinds of issues have been brought to the fore through contacts with intellectually disabled women in a recently conducted study. Intellectually disabled women have a particularly low status on account of their intellectual impairment as well as their gender. The principle aim of the paper is to emphasize the need for a continual discussion within the academic community as to the conduct of those engaging in qualitative research on marginalized groups. A self-appointed alliance with such groups risks masking the superior position of the researcher. This has two serious consequences, i.e. it involves running the risk of poor interpretations of the data, as well as of “objectifying” the informants. © 1999 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.