Conducting qualitative interviews on sensitive topics in sensitive places: the case of terrorism and tourism in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Conducting research on sensitive subjects such as terrorism in sensitive places has the potential to cause both participants and researchers discomfort and distress. Therefore, identifying ways through which experiencing difficult emotions and researcher burnout can be prevented is imperative to the integrity of the research. This paper explores the challenges of interviewing people about terrorism in sensitive situations. It draws on existing literature regarding sensitive topics and the first author’s field experience in Nigeria when collecting data about tourism and terrorism. It also highlights solutions employed and strategies that can assist during the data collection process. This paper is based on the study of fifty-two Nigerians who took part in semi-structured, personal interviews on domestic travel risks associated with terrorism. It is clear that participants may find discussing terrorism distressing due to its complex interaction with religion, politics, and ethnicity as well as personal experiences. This paper contributes to the literature by explaining the strategies that were employed and their implications for researcher and participant wellbeing.

KEYWORDS:

• Sensitive research
• domestic tourists
• domestic terrorism
• fieldwork challenges
• interviewing
• Nigeria

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

David Adeloye is a PhD student in the Department of Tourism, University of Otago. His research is focused on geographical perceptions of terrorism and domestic tourism, terrorism and travel behaviour, risk and risk perception in tourism.

Neil Carr is Professor and Head of the Department of Tourism, University of Otago. His research focuses on understanding behaviour within tourism and leisure experiences, with a particular emphasis on children and families, sex and animals.

Andrea Insch is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at the University of Otago’s Business School. Dr Insch received her PhD from Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia. Her research has been published in the International Marketing Review and the Journal of Hospitality Marketing & Management among others. She is currently the Book Review Editor and the Regional Editor for Australia and New Zealand for the Journal Place Branding and Public Diplomacy.