Q: Leland asks, “I was wondering to what extent ethics plays a role in gathering data from ethnographic research. Does Ethnographic Research, Inc. have a code of ethics for conducting its research?”

A: Hi Leland,

I’m sorry to be slow to respond.  This is a very good question.

ERI subscribes to the ethical principles of the American Sociological Association and the American Anthropological Association.  Because ethnographic work requires that the researcher become much more intimately involved in the process of peoples’ lives, there is far more potential danger for harm than with other types of research methodologies.  We take our ethical responsibilities to clients and participants very seriously.

Thanks for the question,

Melinda