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Researching Refugees: Methodological and Ethical Considerations

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Doing Cross-Cultural Research

Part of the book series: Social Indicators Research Series ((SINS,volume 34))

Abstract

Research with refugees involves particular conceptual, ethical and methodological issues. In this chapter, we outline a number of approaches to refugee research. The merits and limitations of the dominant trauma approach are reviewed, noting the particular tendency of this approach to exclude indigenous forms of knowledge and understanding. We review the emergence of alternative or complementary approaches which strive to integrate qualitative and quantitative methodologies and emphasise a return to human experience and a deeper eco-social and cultural understanding of the refugee experience. One such methodology, interpretative phenomenological analysis is described in greater detail. We then extend our chapter to examine some of the ethical issues which emerge in refugee-related research. This section locates the research enterprise within the broader socio-political context of engaged research.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, Beams Road, Carseldine, Qld, 4030, Australia

    Robert Schweitzer

  2. Center for Population Mental Health Research, Sydney South West Area Health Service and the Psychiatry Research and Teaching Unit, School of Psychiatry, University NSW, Sydney

    Zachary Steel

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  1. Robert Schweitzer
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  2. Zachary Steel
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Public Health, La Trobe University, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong (Personal Chair in Public Health) (Personal Chair in Public Health)

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Schweitzer, R., Steel, Z. (2008). Researching Refugees: Methodological and Ethical Considerations. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Doing Cross-Cultural Research. Social Indicators Research Series, vol 34. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8567-3_7

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