Researching Violence in Africa: Ethical and Methodological Challenges

Abstract

Researching violence and conflict can be challenging for a variety of reasons, including security risks to researchers and informants, restricted or lack of access to informants and field sites, and poor reliability of official data. Traditional methodological approaches may need to be adapted, and new methods may be called for. In addition, such research carries ethical challenges about representation of informants and information and possible use of the research for harmful ends. This book, drawing on research conducted throughout Africa in conflict zones and other insecure environments, considers the everyday dilemmas researchers face. It provides essential contributions to ongoing challenging debates about the use of alternative and mixed methods in social science research.

Citation

Cramer, C., Hammond, L., & Pottier, J. (Eds.). (2011). Researching Violence in Africa: Ethical and Methodological Challenges. Brill. https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004203129.i-184

• Book Type: Edited Book
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2011
• Deposit Date: Oct 23, 2015
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Series Title: Africa-Europe Group for Interdisciplinary Studies
• ISBN: 9789004203129
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/ej.9789004203129.i-184
• Publisher URL: http://www.brill.com/researching-violence-africa