On October 24, 2024, together with the UAB Doctoral School, we hosted a training session titled “Ethics in Data Collection: Challenges and Solutions“. The aim was to bring together PhD candidates and researchers to reflect on and discuss ethical issues in fieldwork and data management. The session was to provide practical insights on ethical requirements and compliance, especially within complex, cross-cultural contexts.
The panel was chaired by Eva Østergaard-Nielsen, and featured members of MIGRADEMO advisory board: Michael Schönhuth, Agata Gorny, and José Luis Molina González. The speakers shared their experiences and views regarding the topic and engaged in a fruitful debate with the audience to clarify their doubts and answer their questions.
We highlight the main lessons and good practices garnered from this session:
- Establishing Axes of Accountability in Research
- The speakers highlighted four key actors to whom researchers have some form of ethical accountability: research participants, sponsors and funders, the scholarly community, and wider society.
- When dealing with participants, researchers should prioritise informed consent, confidentiality, and reciprocity, respecting their cultural contexts and building trust through transparent, respectful engagement and under the do-no-harm principle.
- Ethical compliance with codes of conducts and ethics-driven regulations (e.g., the GDPR) is essential to build a steady relationship with sponsors and funders, ensuring responsible data management and transparency in how funding influences research directions.
- Researchers have professional accountability and scientific integrity obligations to the present and future scholarly community. This includes adhering to good research practices and committing to sensitising future researchers through ethics curricula and training.
- Beyond academia, researchers must engage broader audiences with accessible findings, upholding public trust and sharing insights responsibly.
- Navigating Data Protection in Sensitive Research Contexts
- With GDPR regulations in force since 2018, there are stricter requirements needed for robust data protection practices. Data protection requirements are particularly challenging in cases of research involving vulnerable participants, when research crosses borders or involves non-democratic countries. For such contexts, securing partnerships with local universities can facilitate research permits and ease data-handling protocols.
- Researchers were encouraged to set up a Data Management Plan and implement an ethical review early in their projects to ensure compliance and swift problem resolution.
- Enhancing Ethical Rigour in Data Management
- Ethical fieldwork practices are grounded in responsible data management, from secure storage and sharing protocols to maintaining personal anonymity and confidentiality. Secure storage methods, particularly for social media-based data, and institutional tools, like dedicated SIM cards and emails, can be used to reinforce data security.
- Researchers were urged to prioritise comprehensive anonymisation practices to safeguard personal information throughout the research lifecycle. It is important to ensure it remains inaccessible to unauthorised parties, even once the study is completed.
- The presentations highlighted the importance of complying with the FAIR principles, which require data to be findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable. At the same time, the speakers also showed the limitations of these pillars, emphasising the need to share this raw information without endangering the participants.
- Balancing Ethical Considerations in Quantitative Research
- Quite a bit of literature on ethical requirements draws on qualitative research, such as fieldwork with observation and qualitative interview techniques. Quantitative studies, often structured with closed-ended questions and minimal participant interaction, require distinct ethical oversight. Participants’ experiences must not be compromised by “quick” survey methods, and incentives should be carefully communicated to set realistic expectations without undue influence.
- Practical suggestions included designing questionnaires that allow easy withdrawal at any stage, mitigating any potential pressure on participants. This was a reminder that ethical considerations in research extend beyond qualitative interviews; they are just as crucial in survey-based studies to ensure ethical alignment and participant respect.
- Addressing Anonymity, Confidentiality, and Consent Across Diverse Contexts
- Anonymity, confidentiality, and informed consent are pillars of ethical research practices, not least when dealing with vulnerable and/or illiterate populations in non-European contexts. Researchers should adapt consent processes to ensure clarity and comprehension for all participants.
- Effective ethical strategies were shared, such as simplifying consent language and ensuring transparency about the study’s purpose. Building trust with participants in a culturally sensitive manner ensures ethical integrity and can yield more authentic and reliable data.
- Preparing for Incidental Findings
- Unexpected discoveries during research pose an important ethical challenge, often requiring swift, sensitive responses. Attendees were encouraged to anticipate such ethical dilemmas, preparing risk mitigation strategies with contingency plans for cases of encountering such incidents in the field.
- Ethics Beyond Regulation: A Commitment to Human Values
- Ethics in research is not just about meeting regulatory checkboxes; it is about respecting human dignity and building a foundation of trust. By viewing ethics as a central research principle rather than an administrative requirement, researchers can foster more meaningful connections with participants. This results in research that reflects real-world sensitivities and respect for individuals.
- The Role of Mentorship and Peer Support in Ethical Decision-Making
- Throughout the discussion, experts encouraged junior researchers to seek mentorship, rely on their supervisors, and accept peer advice to better navigate ethical challenges. Drawing on others’ experiences broadens perspectives and fosters a community of shared solutions. They can be especially useful when ethical issues fall outside personal or institutional frameworks.
- Future-Focused Ethics: AI and Emerging Tools
- The discussion also touched on AI’s evolving role in research, urging cautiousness, given that ethical standards for AI use are still developing. Responsible AI application, data protection, and participant confidentiality were underscored as evolving areas where researchers need to stay informed and cautious.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to the members of the MIGRADEMO advisory board for sharing their invaluable insights and experiences. A sincere thank you also goes to the engaged audience of PhD candidates and researchers, whose thoughtful questions enriched the discussion. Finally, we are grateful to the UAB Doctoral School (Marta López) and the MIGRADEMO staff (Roberta Maria Aricò and Catarina Mota) for their efforts in organising this event and to Professor Laura Feliu, representative of the PPIR PhD programme, for attending.