The Art and Politics of Covert Research: Doing ‘Situated Ethics’ in the Field

What is this about?

This article discusses the covert research relationship. Specifically, it explores the ethical dimensions of fieldwork with reference to a six-month covert ethnography of ‘bouncers’, in Manchester^[1]. This is a factual case.

Why is this important?

The standard discourse on ethics is abstracted from the actual doing, which is a mediated and contingent set of practices.Traditionally, professional ethics has been centralized around the doctrine of informed consent with covert methodology being frowned upon and effectively marginalized as a type of ‘last resort methodology’^[2].

For whom is this important?

Researchers

Other information

Who

David Calvey

When

1996

Where

Virtues & Values

Respect

Good Practices & Misconduct

Research Area

Sociology

References

↑ Calvey, David. "The art and politics of covert research: doingsituated ethics' in the field." Sociology 42.5 (2008): 905-918.
↑ Calvey, David. "The art and politics of covert research: doingsituated ethics' in the field." Sociology 42.5 (2008): 905-918.

[1] Calvey, David. "The art and politics of covert research: doingsituated ethics' in the field." Sociology 42.5 (2008): 905-918.

[2] Calvey, David. "The art and politics of covert research: doingsituated ethics' in the field." Sociology 42.5 (2008): 905-918.

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