6.8.3 Ethical issues surrounding non-participant observation in multiple case study research (40)

Catherine Houghton, full-time PhD student, Deaprtment of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland, Co authors: Dympna Casey c.houghton@nuigalway.ie

Abstract:

The aim of this presentation is to focus on the ethical implications of conducting non-participant observation in multi-site research. The challenges will be illustrated through a description of an ongoing multiple case study exploring the role of the clinical skills laboratories in preparing students for the real world of practice. There are ethical challenges which are specific to qualitative research. They chiefly relate to the emergent and unpredictable nature of the design (Ramos, 1989; Robley, 1995). The researcher-participant relationship and the application of process informed consent will be discussed in relation to the literature and the research in progress. Conducting non-participant observations in the clinical setting raises a number of ethical issues, which includes the involvement of patients and the dual role of the nurse researcher. An ethical protocol as recommended (Casey 2004) was used to overcome some of these problems and this will be described in the context of the current study. Finally, some of the challenges of gaining ethical approval in multi-site research will be highlighted and discussed in relation to the literature and the current research. This presentation will highlight some of the ambiguities surrounding ethical issues in collecting non-participant observational data and discuss processes which can be implemented to overcome them. It will also highlight the need for more suitable guidelines when submitting qualitative research proposals to research ethics committees.

Recommended reading list:

  • Casey, D. (2004) Challenges of collecting data in the clinical setting Nursing Times Research 9(2), 131-141
  • Ramos, M.C. (1989) Some ethical implications of qualitative research. Research in Nursing and Health 12, 57-63
  • Robley, L.R. (1995) The ethics of qualitative research. Journal of Professional Nursing 11(1), 45-48

Source of Funding: N/A

Amount in Funding: N/A

Biography:

Catherine Houghton, is Registered as a General and as a Sick Children's Nurse. She worked as a nurse in Addenbrookes NHS Trust Hospital in Cambridge and in Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Dublin. Following completion of a Masters Degree in Health Science, Catherine was awarded a full-time Ph.D. fellowship by NUI, Galway in January 2006. She also lectures research and research ethics at undergraduate, postgraduate and masters level. The aim of her research project is to explore the role of clinical skills laboratories in preparing student nurses for practice and is a national, multiple case study and is due for completion in December 2008. The findings from this research will contribute significantly to the way in which clinical skills laboratories are used to educate students.