Beyond concerns about security and anonymity for the respondents, the author recognises the value, and also possible problems, associated with the use or misuse of this research politically. There is a need to anticipate potential ways that research may be misconstrued or otherwise used in ways unintended by the researcher.296 This research does not intend to uncritically support, or demonise, the NSAGs in particular, or present a simplistic good/bad dichotomy between resistance organisations and the Burma Army, or on the issues addressed, as noted above. The focus is on the policies and practices of the NSAGs and NSAG relationships with constituent civilian populations and organisations that work with them, where that intersects with humanitarian norms. The range of political issues underlying the conflicts in Burma are, nonetheless, outlined and acknowledged. An equitable political settlement and peaceful conclusion to armed conflicts in Burma is to be supported, and this is potentially closer now than at any time since the creation of the Union of Burma in 1948.
The position of the researcher regarding the political situation in Burma was also of significance to those who participated in interviews.
Respondents, local and international, were almost always generous with their time and knowledge. The researcher had been advised early in the field work that some individuals, armed groups, or civil society actors, especially operating along the Thai-Burma border, could be concerned about how the research might be used. In particular, this stemmed from some writing that was believed by local organisations to have influenced the international community in terms of reducing funding to the border, and
296 See, regarding this issue in Burma research, Brooten and Metro, "Thinking about ethics in Burma Research," 19-20.
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questioning the legitimacy of NSAGs and local civil society groups.297 Despite the possibility of receiving the ‘party line’ from various CSOs or NSAGs, the range of responses on the issues raised in interviews was actually very broad. The researcher maintained an informed empathetic stance, while also avoiding overt statements of support for any particular group. It was found early in the interviewing process that demonstrating awareness of the political and humanitarian context and issues by the researcher often helped respondents to relax, and to go further in depth on particular issues. This had to be balanced with making sure that the more difficult questions were also asked. In a number of valuable instances, this approach produced a more critical appraisal from the interview subject towards their own organisations or about particular issues (sometimes in
‘off the record’ statements).
Another concern for researchers is to not “spoil the field” for future researchers through treating research participants as commodities.298 Therefore, the research was not conducted in one rushed period of time, but over three periods of four to five months at a time. As indicated earlier, the researcher contributed volunteer work, where feasible, with local organisations while in the field. Those interviewed for this study were located in a wide range of locations along the Thai-Burma border and inside parts of Burma. Some relationships with contacts were able to be maintained on return visits as they were located in places the researcher regularly spent more time, such as Mae Sot or Yangon. However, it was also recognised in the case of others who were already very busy (in some cases negotiating ceasefires, or dealing with serious humanitarian emergencies), that although emails were sent to maintain contact, they were simply too busy to reply. Also some participants in Burma were located in places that were visited for shorter periods of time and email contact was not reliable, or they had been contacted in-country by phone or met in person via other contacts.
297 See, for discussion of these issues in terms of cross-border aid, local CBOs and NSAGs, Anne Décobert, "Sitting on the Fence?: Politics and Ethics of Research into Cross-Border Aid on the Thailand-Myanmar/Burma Border," Journal of Burma Studies 18, no. 1 (2014): 44-47.
298 Brooten and Metro, "Thinking about ethics in Burma Research," 16-17.
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Summary
In this chapter, the overall research design and methodology has been outlined. Rationales were given for the use of a case study approach, the choice of Burma as a case study context, and the choice of the landmine and children affected by armed conflict issues as observable indicators for the extent of compliance and engagement with humanitarian norms. The process for the gathering of data and its analysis in this case study were then set out. The sources of data and the rationale for the range of organisations from which interview respondents have been drawn were also outlined. Throughout this research, analysis is an ongoing and iterative process. Therefore, as well as categorising interview data and data from other sources within the thematic framework of the questions and propositions established at the outset, alternative explanations and themes that arise from the interviews and other data are also considered and incorporated. Lastly, the limitations, potential biases and ethical considerations that present challenges to this study in the context of Burma have been considered. A qualitative approach accepts that there will be multiple perspectives on any issue. That is also the case with the research presented here, which will inevitably also reflect the perspective of the researcher, and this is acknowledged. However, as has been outlined in this chapter, every effort is made to include all relevant view points, and to engage with difficult issues realistically, but with a view to the potential for positive action by all the actors concerned.
In the following chapter, the country-specific, historical, geographic, and political context of Burma/Myanmar is presented. It is within that context that landmine use, children affected by armed conflict, and NSAG practices and policies in relation to those issues are then outlined in chapters seven and eight.
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