For further information, please refer to the University’s Research Ethics Policy.
Potentially highly sensitive topics include:
- race or ethnicity
- political opinion
- religious, spiritual or other beliefs
- physical or mental health conditions
- sexuality and/or gender identity
- abuse (child, adult)
- nudity and the body
- criminal activities
- political asylum
- conflict situations
- personal violence
- terrorism or violent extremism
A key word qualifying all of the above lists is 'potentially'. It should never simply be assumed that the above kinds of research participants and topics are under all circumstances 'vulnerable' or 'risky': an unreflective 'box ticking' approach in this respect is strongly discouraged. In the first place, researchers should reflect upon the specificities of each research project, and the risks and vulnerabilities it may, or may not, present or create should be documented and evaluated as part of the ethics review process. In the second, departments are encouraged to develop local definitions of risk and vulnerability that are appropriate to the nature of their particular research activities, providing these definitions are endorsed by the UREC.
Finally, it cannot be emphasised too strongly that conducting research ethically is not a matter of avoiding potentially high-risk research. It is, rather, about preparing for and managing risks; it is a matter of being risk aware, not risk averse.
With acknowledgment to the University of Sheffield