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Secrecy and ‘Studying-up’

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Secrecy, Privacy and Accountability

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Abstract

Secrecy and deception are under-explored in sociology. Secrecy may be considered negatively in contrast to the more positive status of privacy, yet boundaries between them can be blurred. These issues provide a backdrop for a discussion on problems in studying the state, with attention to Laura Nader’s call for ‘studying-up’ of powerful groups in society. Empirical study of elites is also underdeveloped, presenting many challenges, including access, and the complexities of multilayered organisations. A short review of opportunities and challenges in using documentary methods in social research is followed by a final section describing use of FOIA in research in the UK. Acknowledging ethical issues it raises, Sheaff argues it offers valuable opportunities for ‘studying-up’.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Law, Criminology & Government, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK

    Mike Sheaff

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  1. Mike Sheaff
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Correspondence to Mike Sheaff .

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Sheaff, M. (2019). Secrecy and ‘Studying-up’. In: Secrecy, Privacy and Accountability. Palgrave Pivot, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11686-6_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-11686-6_4

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Pivot, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-11685-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-11686-6

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