Note on recruitment as an ethical question: lessons from a project on asexuality

Dawson, M. , McDonnell, L. and Scott, S. (2017) Note on recruitment as an ethical question: lessons from a project on asexuality. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20(3), pp. 255-261. (doi: 10.1080/13645579.2017.1287871)

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Abstract

This short piece considers how participant recruitment can have ethical elements. With reference to a qualitative research project on asexuality we explore the challenges associated with recruiting from an emerging, and politically charged, identity group. In our attempt to broaden the representation of asexual stories we sought to recruit people who may not fully identify with the emerging term ‘asexual’ as a sexual orientation while also not equating this with a lifestyle choice of abstinence. This was attempted through crafting suitable recruitment materials via the use of the Mass Observation archive and expanded sampling criteria. Our efforts met with mixed success, on which we reflect. We conclude by suggesting how such ethical questions related to recruitment will remain ‘gaps’ in ethical regulation, calling for a greater reflexive approach from researchers about sampling criteria.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Dawson, Professor Matt
Authors: Dawson, M., McDonnell, L., and Scott, S.
College/School:College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Sociology Anthropology and Applied Social Sciences
Journal Name:International Journal of Social Research Methodology
Publisher:Taylor and Francis (Routledge)
ISSN:1364-5579
ISSN (Online):1464-5300
Published Online:08 February 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Informa UK Limited
First Published:First published in International Journal of Social Research Methodology 20(3):255-261
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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