Research Ethics

About the course

The course focuses on state-of-the-art research and practice in research ethics, for working in vulnerable (post-)conflict and developing settings. It covers basic principles and standards (both formal and informal) regarding the safety of research participants and not harm; but also more advanced ethics topics, for example, reflexivity and positionality, researcher-related trauma, responsibilities vis-à-vis the research team, data security, and research fatigue. The course covers all relevant forms of data collection which involve personal data, including fieldwork methodologies (e.g. interviews and focus groups), large-N studies (e.g. surveys), and desk studies (e.g. archival sources). The course is largely focused on independent reading (there are two mandatory seminars). At the end of the course, you should be equipped to think critically about issues of research ethics in peace and conflict research and related fields, and for planning your own research.