2.2 Methodology Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis
Chapter 3 – Method 3.1 Current study description
3.2 Ethical considerations
Ethical concerns were one of the foremost considerations when I embarked on this research process. I started by consulting the Health and Disability Ethics Committee. Subsequent consultation of the Massey University Human Ethics Committee (MUHEC) web information and completion of their screening questionnaire process established the need for a formal ethics application given that the subject participant group was considered a vulnerable group. Subsequent discussions with my academic supervisor allowed me to complete the formal MUHEC application process. Ethics approval was sought via the MUHEC Northern committee and approved via letter on 23 October 2014; approval number MUHECN14/042 (attached as Appendix A)
Possible ethical issues, as well as the implications of, and solutions to minimise or remove these issues were identified through the above processes and are presented in Table 1.
Possible ethical issue Identified mitigating / removal solutions
Conflict of interest due to power relationship; I am a tutor at the service where the research was carried out.
Explicit detail in the information sheet stating that non participation or withdrawal will not affect access to the service.
Vulnerability of client group given their status as being diagnosed with a severe and enduring mental illness.
Ability to postpone interviews should clients be experiencing an increase in symptoms which would impact on their ability to safely participate in an interview.
Possibility of harm from questioning about experience of illness and current life meaning.
Clear information and plan in place for accessing support should there be a need to do so.
Information provided in the ‘information form’ about options for reducing or minimising unintended distress.
Reminder of details of free services for clients to access should they feel the need to. Reiterated immediately prior to interview.
Observation by interviewer during interview to identify possible signs of distress in order to be able to suspend the interview, provide verbal reminder of supports available, or support to make contact with supports.
Researcher safety; interviewing alone Interviews being carried out at service where a panic alarm is available and will be located on the person of the interviewer at all times.
Location of the researcher in the interview room for ease of exit if required.
Table 1: Ethical issues identified and mitigating measures 3.3 Cultural considerations
Despite this not being a project aimed specifically at a Maori cohort it was acknowledged early on that the city in which the research was being conducted, has a high percentage of Maori within the demographic. This meant the possibility of having Maori people in the cohort of participants was quite high and therefore cultural considerations were of much importance. To ensure cultural safety for this project the following steps were taken:
1. A discussion with a Kaum
ā
tua (Maori elder) from a local Hapu (subtribe) who represents the Marae closest geographically to the activity service was conducted, he is also a member of the largest Iwi (tribe) in the district. The outcome of this was that he voiced no issue culturally with the project which was presented to him in terms of the project aims, research process and analysis processes. Agreement was also obtained that if a participant requested and gave permission for his presence, he would attend that individual’s interview. He also gave the following recommendations:a. A kaumatua should be present pre interview with Maori clients to ensure proper protocols are followed and to carry out karakia (prayer) if the participant indicates they want this. Also he recommended that the kaumatua be present
for the interview itself if requested. This is to ensure that should there be any discomfort or feeling of whakama (shyness) or intimidation this will be able to be minimised by the kaumatua.
b. There should be coffee and/or tea available for the client and all possible factors should be looked at to ensure that the client is comfortable and relaxed. c. It is also important that should the client wish to stop or reschedule the interview for any reason they should be given the opportunity to do this without question.
As a result of these discussions, all participants who identified as Maori at the pre interview discussion were offered the opportunity to have a Kaumatua present, and to be able to carry out tikanga (protocols) practices chiefly by way of karakia. All declined the offer. Tea and coffee were made available for all participants, and all participants were reminded at the start of their interview that they could stop the interview at any time.
2. I obtained, read and applied the Massey University code of ethical conduct for research, teaching and evaluations involving human participants (2013) to the project.
3. I obtained, read and applied Te Ara Tika – Guidelines for Maori research ethics: A framework for researchers and ethics committee members (2010) to the project
4. I attended an ethics symposium on 27.06.14; ‘Ethical Best Practise – Challenges in the Maori Context’ presented by Dr Barry Smith, Dr Polly Atatoa- Carr and Professor Sir Mason Durie.
5. I myself am Maori and have been raised around Tikanga Maori and therefore have an understanding of the protocols relevant in such a situation and how to apply these.