NCJ Number
207439
Journal
British Journal of Criminology Volume: 44 Issue: 5 Dated: September 2004 Pages: 715-740
Editor(s)
Geoffrey Pearson
Date Published
September 2004
Length
26 pages
Annotation
This article examines some of the legal and methodological measures used by researchers to protect their data, as well as rationales justifying the disclosure of information given in confidence by research participants.
Abstract
When individuals allow researchers to investigate them, they often negotiate terms for the agreement. Some forms of research may create significant risks for research participants, specifically when researchers feel that information provided by participants in confidence should not remain confidential. This paper explores the difficulties associated with maintaining integrity as a researcher, while deciding whether to disclose or protect information given to criminological and socio-legal researchers by research participants in three difficult cases: (1) when put under pressure by third parties to disclose information; (2) when the nature of the information disclosed reveals past injustice or future harm; and (3) when it seems that some people do not deserve to be offered confidentiality. Researchers have devised a series of methodological and legal responses to threats to their data, such as going to prison. By stimulating the discussion on how and to what extent researchers might be prepared to offer confidentiality, this paper suggests that a collective acceptance of a particular standard of integrity might enable researchers to share their dilemmas with colleagues, and colleagues in return might recognize the possibility that some of their peers have acted with integrity, even if they do not agree with their peers decisions. References