CHAPTER FOUR: METHODOLOGY
4.9 Ethical Concerns
When conducting any research study, Marlow (1998) stated that ethical issues must receive the highest consideration. Finkelhor, Hotaling and Yllo (1988) have pointed out that the public concern with family violence often meant that the public, policymakers and journalists who may not fully understand findings and methods may misinterpret, misunderstand, oversimplify or overgeneralise the findings of the research study. These authors have therefore stressed the importance of the choice and framing of the research topic as well as the interpretation and dissemination of the data obtained. Bearing in mind that husband abuse has only recently begun receiving any media attention, and that the topic has not been explored in the South African context before, there is a high likelihood that the results may be misunderstood and misinterpreted. The researcher will therefore endeavour to ensure that the methodology and research limitations of the study are presented whenever the findings are discussed. The researcher will also point out that the research study was exploratory in nature and does not provide a comprehensive understanding of husband abuse. In relation to the above, Reamer (1998) advised the use of discretion when sharing the results of the study with the research participants as the results might have negative effects on the participants. The researcher has taken cognisance of this and decided to share the results of this study with the research participants, particularly since husband abuse is a very hidden and private issue. By hearing that others have had similar experiences, participants may have felt less isolated and stigmatised.
Another ethical consideration was protecting research participants from harm.
According to Mann (2000), the very nature of the study meant that one was intruding in people's personal lives. She stated that gaining the cooperation and
confidence of participants necessitated that one truly had their well being at heart. When conducting research of this nature, Finkelhor, Hotaling and Yllo (1988) felt that researchers always risked placing their research participants in jeopardy of more abuse. If the abuser discovered that the victim told the researcher about the abuse, she might have retaliated. These authors also stated that irrationally jealous and violent spouses may also retaliate simply because the victim has had contact with a stranger without even knowing the reasons why contact was made. Finkelhor, Hotaling and Yllo (1988) maintained further that family violence victims were very vulnerable to stigma and might therefore be at risk of being stigmatised or ostracized by being involved in a research project. As discussed in chapter one, the research study was born out of the researcher's concern for men who were experiencing abuse. Throughout the study the participants' best interests have been the researcher's foremost concern. The necessary steps were taken to ensure that participants were protected from any harm or stigma while participating in the study.
Participants were assured that the general public and their partners would not know of their involvement in the study. Renzetti (1992) pointed out that when researching sensitive topics, one must be mindful that these groups of people had a tremendous need to hide their involvement in the study for fear of stigmatisation. Confidentiality and anonymity were therefore very important. The researcher was the only person who was aware of the real names of participants.
When reporting on the research in the dissertation or possible publications fictitious names were used. Incidences were disguised so that the participants could not be recognised. Only the researcher had access to the tape recordings of the interviews. These were destroyed after the research study was completed.
Finkelhor, Hotaling and Yllo (1988) have also pointed out that the research procedures themselves might be harmful to the participants. They maintained that even simple interviewing procedures might have some harmful effects to the participants who had to 'relive' the abusive experiences by talking about the
abuse. Reamer (1998) concurred, stating that when an interview dealt with intimate and personal issues, the participants were likely to become upset or traumatised. The interviewer offered support and empathy during the interviews.
Referrals for ongoing counselling to relevant welfare agencies including contact telephone numbers and contact persons were provided to participants as well as other information that they requested.
Finkelhor, Hotaling and Yllo (1988) emphasised the importance of voluntary participation and informed consent. Participants were given all the information regarding the study in order to decide whether or not to participate in the study.
Reamer (1998) elaborated that research participants should be made aware of the purposes, methods and risks associated with the study. Reamer (1998) also highlighted people's right to privacy. During the preliminary interviews the researcher fully informed all participants about the details of the study.
Participants were also informed that they could chose not to answer any questions and could withdraw from the study at any time. Those participants who had initially agreed to participate in the study and later changed their minds, were not coerced in any way. The researcher respected their privacy and their decision not to participate.
One of the ethical controversies cited by Finkelhor, Hotaling and Yllo (1988) centred on the remuneration of subjects. Some authors felt that the research subjects should be compensated for their time, effort and risk, while others have stated that the incentive of money or other incentives might be coercive and distort conditions of informed consent. In this study, research participants were not offered any remuneration in exchange for their participation in the research study.
Even though the researcher carefully considered ethical concerns, the possibility that certain issues were overlooked existed. The research study has been
supervised however, which ensured that the study was carried out in accordance with the strictest ethical codes.