To conceal or reveal: ethical tensions and concerns in participatory action research-the relational adventures in a rural China village community research project

ABSTRACT

The author reviewed her involvement in a participatory action research project for child protection in a rural Chinese community in this paper. Numerous observations and reflections on ethical tensions and decision-making are discussed. These discussions raise awareness about the ethical implications of a participatory action-inquiry process. Everyday ethical issues in research should be addressed collaboratively and relationally.

本文作者回顾一项农村儿童保护联动机制的参与式行动研究, 实践过程中与研究行动的协作伙伴经历不少伦理疑虑和决策张力, 通过描述和反思这些在参与式研究情景中的伦理议题, 我们了解到研究伦理的实践需要有意识地在研究行动的日常过程中, 通过各方彼此尊重的协作关系去完善和完成。

KEYWORDS:

• Participatory action research (PAR)
• child protection project
• ethical tension
• relational ethics
• ethics in practice

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).