[Last modified: December, 5 2024 11:26 PM]
When doing research, especially in a field like anthropology, the researcher is faced with a variety of responsibilities. This is not just a responsibility to the academic institution or the paper, but more importantly to the participants. For my research, participants who are willing to share their dressing stories with me are central, and it is my responsibility to present their ideas as accurately and respectfully as possible. At the same time, I am also responsible to the academic community, and I hope that my research can provide some valuable insights for a better understanding of the ‘language of clothes’.
The attribution of research results is actually quite complex. The papers and data may be officially mine, but the stories and insights come from the participants, and it is their experiences that allow me to write meaningful content. So I think it’s a ‘co-creation’ process rather than a one-sided one. For example, involving the participants in parts of the study and listening to their feedback can make the study more relevant. However, this also requires a balance between issues such as time, resources and the level of commitment of the participants.
As for whether or not to pay participants, this is also a question that I struggle with. Paying is indeed a recognition of their time and effort, but it may feel like a transaction and even affect the authenticity of the answers. This is especially true since most of my participants are peers or newcomers to the workplace, in which case paying may make the relationship feel less natural. I feel that sharing the results of the study, or letting them see their own stories reflected in it, may be a more appropriate way of thanking them than giving money outright.
Of course, I face quite a few ethical challenges in my research. For example, my status as a student and researcher may influence the way I ask questions or favour responses that fit my ideas when analysing. In addition, participants with similar backgrounds to mine may feel that they ‘should’ say things that fit with their shared experiences, which may limit their authenticity. In order to cope with these problems, I need to be reflective and try to record and analyse as objectively and impartially as possible, while at the same time creating a relaxed and open communication environment for the participants.