By Afag Javadova
Undertaking research with refugee and migrant populations requires a deep commitment to ethical integrity, given the inherent vulnerabilities and complexities of their prior experiences. Throughout the research process, researchers are expected to carefully navigate numerous ethical considerations to ensure the integrity and sensitivity of their projects. In this reflection, I discuss various challenges faced by novice researchers, including myself. I explore the ethical considerations in qualitative research with refugee and migrant groups, drawing upon personal insights, existing literature, and recommendations by scholars in the field.
The ethical landscape of migration research is multifaceted, influenced by institutional and legal requirements, power imbalances, and cultural nuances (Grabska & Clark-Kazak 2022; Davidson et al. 2023). Moreover, researchers, particularly those pursuing Master’s and doctoral degrees, encounter methodological and procedural challenges alongside financial constraints, time limitations, and occasional gaps in relevant academic training or practical skills. In the multicultural mosaic of Toronto, ethical considerations in qualitative research with refugee and migrant communities require a nuanced and context-specific dimension. For instance, researchers conducting interviews or focus groups with Syrian refugees resettled in Toronto had to navigate cultural sensitivities, language barriers, and trauma-informed practices. In such settings, obtaining informed consent often involved community leaders or interpreters to ensure that participants fully understood the research aims and potential implications (Masterson & Mourad 2019).
Local ethical frameworks are essential for ensuring that research practices resonate with the cultural, social, and political realities of migration contexts. Western-centric ethical norms may not adequately capture the complexities of migration experiences or the ethical concerns of diverse communities. Collaborative efforts involving local stakeholders are crucial for co-creating contextually relevant ethical guidelines that reflect the values and priorities of affected populations. Moreover, ethical considerations extend beyond the research process itself to the dissemination of findings and community engagement. Engaging refugee communities in the research process as active partners, rather than passive subjects, fosters trust and ensures that research outcomes are relevant and empowering. For example, while working as a Project Officer at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) from 2019 to 2024, I witnessed certain community-based participatory research projects in Toronto, such as those conducted by Access Alliance Multicultural Health and Community Services, typically involved refugee community members in all stages of the research process, from study design to knowledge translation. As a Toronto-based nonprofit, Access Alliance believes that to promote equity, the knowledge production process itself needs to be made more equitable. Thus, their research is grounded in a community-based research framework with proven capacity to make the research process more inclusive, empowering, and equity-driven.
In the article “Ethics in Forced Migration Research: Taking Stock and Potential Ways Forward,” Clark-Kazak (2021) argues for a hybrid approach that integrates both procedural and relational ethics. Procedural ethics are central to ensuring the ethical conduct of research with refugee and migrant populations. Obtaining informed consent, protecting confidentiality, and mitigating potential risks are paramount considerations. However, the dynamic nature of migration contexts poses challenges in implementing these procedures effectively. Researchers must navigate complex legal and social landscapes, often facing obstacles in securing consent from individuals with precarious legal status or limited access to information. Moreover, adapting standardized ethical protocols to diverse cultural settings requires careful consideration of context-specific norms and practices. Furthermore, the author emphasizes that non-academic organizations, including migrant-led groups, should offer resources and training to staff and clients on procedural ethics, relational principles, and participants’ rights in research.
Relational ethics, which focus on the dynamics between researchers and participants, are equally crucial in migration research. Power differentials, language barriers, and trust dynamics shape these relationships, influencing the quality and validity of research outcomes. Building and maintaining ethical relationships with migrant communities necessitates transparency, respect, and genuine engagement. Researchers must navigate cultural sensitivities and power dynamics, recognizing the agency and autonomy of participants in shaping research processes and outcomes (Clark-Kazak 2021).
In one of the discussions with participants in the LERRN course, it was highlighted that the proliferation of big data analytics, including AI-generated data analytics, presents novel ethical challenges in migration research. The collection, analysis, and interpretation of datasets raise concerns regarding privacy, consent, and data ownership. In contexts where migrants’ digital footprints are subject to surveillance or exploitation, ethical frameworks that safeguard individuals’ rights and dignity are imperative. Ensuring the responsible use of big data analytics requires interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and affected communities.
Efforts to address these ethical challenges include the formulation of a Code of Ethics by the International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (IASFM). This code serves as a guiding framework for researchers, emphasizing principles such as voluntary consent, confidentiality, and minimizing harm. While such initiatives are commendable, significant gaps persist, particularly in procedural and relational ethics, big data analysis, localized ethical frameworks, and oversight mechanisms for researchers operating outside institutional review boards (Clark-Kazak 2021). Addressing oversight mechanisms for researchers in regions with limited research infrastructure or authoritarian regimes poses significant challenges. Researchers often encounter obstacles in obtaining ethical clearance or adhering to established ethical standards, highlighting the critical need for adaptive and culturally sensitive frameworks to support ethical research practices under such conditions.
In conclusion, ethical considerations are paramount in both qualitative and quantitative research with refugee and migrant populations. Some takeaways from the LERRN course discussions highlight that while progress has been made in addressing ethical challenges, persistent and emerging gaps remain. Strengthening international collaborations, advocating for research autonomy, and supporting local research ethics committees are essential steps in promoting ethical research practices globally. By prioritizing interdisciplinary collaboration, community engagement, and global advocacy, researchers can work towards developing more inclusive and contextually sensitive ethical guidelines that uphold the rights and well-being of migrant and refugee populations. Adopting culturally responsive and trauma-informed research practices, engaging communities as active partners, and prioritizing the well-being of participants can help researchers uphold ethical integrity and contribute to meaningful and empowering research outcomes.
Author bio
Afag Javadova is a postdoctoral researcher specializing in public policy with a focus on immigrant settlement and integration.
References
Clark-Kazak, C. (2021). Ethics in Forced Migration Research: Taking Stock and Potential Ways Forward. Journal on Migration and Human Security, 9(3), 125–138.
Davidson, N., Hammarberg, K., & Fisher, J. (2023). Ethical Considerations in Research With People From Refugee and Asylum Seeker Backgrounds: A Systematic Review of National and International Ethics Guidelines. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 1-24.
Grabska, K., & Clark-Kazak, C. R. (2022). Documenting displacement: questioning methodological boundaries in forced migration research. McGill-Queen’s University Press. International Association for the Study of Forced Migration (2018).
Masterson, D., & Mourad, L. (2019). The ethical challenges of field research in the Syrian refugee crisis. MENA Politics Newsletter. Available at SSRN 3522168.