Beyond the Ethics Board: How to Navigate Messy Moments, Ethical Reflections and Uncertainty When Communicating With Participants

The eighteenth Evidence Bits issue is based on a study by Huda Syyed exploring ethical uncertainty, “messy moments” and the ongoing journey and labour of using one’s moral compass as a researcher.

Drawing on the researcher’s experiences conducting doctoral research on Female Genital Cutting (FGC) among Dawoodi Bohra women, the study presents a guide on how ethical practice may continue long after formal approval has been granted.

Practical Implications

The journey of ethical decision-making and reflection is ongoing and extends beyond institutional ethics board reviews, protocols and processes.

Ethical reflection is an ongoing form of research labour.

Messy moments require the researcher to have a moral compass for accountability.

Researchers need support and preparation for ethical realities.