Ethical Research with Children: Reflections from Fieldwork in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Ahmed, Iqbal

Abstract

During the past two decades, literature has increasingly focused on ethical research with marginalised children. This chapter reflects on the ethical issues I was confronted with during my first encounter with street children in Dhaka. These issues are highlighted through the lens of power relations and compensation to participants against specific research contexts in an informal settlement in Dhaka. In particular, this chapter draws on my experiences of how these issues were materialised and politicised through my encounters with the children and the gatekeeper. I argue that it is necessary for researchers to re-assess institutional ethical requirements because the reality that emerges from the field may not be always similar to what is anticipated prior to their research. Through the narratives of this chapter, I highlight how tensions of power dynamics and compensation have contributed to my understanding of the ethical issues that could potentially open grounds for confronting questions and discussions from other researchers to reorient and localise research practices with children.

Citation

Ahmed, I. (2021). Ethical Research with Children: Reflections from Fieldwork in Dhaka, Bangladesh. In M. Oiza Ajebon, Y. Ming Connie Kwong, & D. Astorga de Ita (Eds.), Navigating the Field. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68113-5_6

• Online Publication Date: Jun 1, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Jun 30, 2021
• Book Title: Navigating the Field
• ISBN: 9783030681128
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-68113-5_6
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1653878