Collecting Sensitive Data: The Impact on Researchers

Abstract

The authors undertook an exploratory study to identify issues that arose for researchers while conducting fieldwork. Ten researchers engaged in "sensitive" inquiry were purposefully sampled and encouraged to talk about their experiences during the data collection process. Interviews were transcribed and common themes identified. The findings indicate that these researchers experienced a number of difficulties that centered around issues of lack of training, confidentiality, role conflict, costs to the participants, the desire for reciprocity, and feelings of isolation. The authors discuss the implications of the findings, including the need for support for researchers for further research.