RDI Network - Research for Development Impact Network

All research participants must be treated with dignity, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, ability, religion and culture.

Researchers thus need to be cognisant of existing power relations between themselves as researchers and participants so that broader principles of human rights and addressing injustice can be upheld.

This has particular relevance when doing research and evaluation with vulnerable and marginalised people. Vulnerability can add a more complex set of power relations; between researchers and participants from vulnerable groups, as well as between vulnerable groups and other research participants from the same community. Inclusion of perspectives and voices from vulnerable groups is crucial, and may require additional ethical considerations at all stages of the research cycle.

Inclusion of perspectives and voices from vulnerable groups is crucial, and may require additional ethical considerations at all stages of the research cycle.

Who participates in the research?

Making sure all voices are heard in the research process relies upon a fair process for recruitment of research participants, including accommodating the needs of vulnerable individuals and groups.

This means there is no unfair burden of participation on any one particular group of people. It also means that there is fair distribution of and access to the benefits of participation in the research.

Two common methods of recruiting participants are purposeful selection and random selection.

If researchers use purposeful selection, it is important to be clear with the appropriate local partner or community leaders about what kinds of research participants are required.

When using this method, remember to pay attention to who is or isn’t participating. It may be that important categories of people are being left out, particularly those who are already marginalised voices. Attempts should be actively made to avoid further marginalisation, discrimination and exclusion of under-represented social groups.

Tool R offers a brief checklist to help researchers consider how they can equitably select participants for their research.

Developing a dissemination plan is a key part of the research planning process. Although the results of the research won’t be known until it’s completed, working through a dissemination plan at the design and planning stages of the research can help shape the way the research takes place, the way the information is collected and analysed and the best way of reporting the research results.

Research findings should be accessible to the research participants in a timely, clear manner in a format that is meaningful and useful for them. It is also important that dissemination and communication of the research goes beyond the research organisation or research participants. A dissemination plan should include steps to share the research results more broadly, in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to knowledge, and that preserve and protect the trust participants place in researchers.

While not a detailed guide to developing a dissemination plan, Tool S provides a good overview of some of the most important questions to ask when designing a dissemination strategy or plan.