Our resource list includes a wide range of resources from information and articles on methodological and ethical training to reflective articles on conducting sensitive research, and resources on researcher wellbeing.
The SRN Midlands resource list may also contain MGS ESRC DTP advanced/specialist training modules that may be relevant and other modules made available at other ESRC DTPs. Unfortunately, we cannot provide funding for training modules.
Please submit any recommended resources using the Resource & Feedback form.
Methodological & Ethical training resources
Interviewing
Sensitive Interviewing - methods@manchester (https://www.methods.manchester.ac.uk/themes/qualitative-methods/sensitive-interviewing/)
LinkedIn - Interviewing with sensitivity: 10 trauma-informed interview techniques (https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/interviewing-sensitivity-10-trauma-informed)
Methodspace - Interviewing Participants about Sensitive Topics (https://researchmethodscommunity.sagepub.com/blog/interviewing-participants-about-sensitive-topics)
Focus groups
Farquhar (with Rita Das), C. (1999). Are focus groups suitable for ‘sensitive’ topics?. In R. S. Barbour, J. Kitzinger (Eds.) Are focus groups suitable for ‘sensitive’ topics? (pp. 47-63). SAGE Publications Ltd, https://doi.org/10.4135/9781849208857 [SRN-Resources]
Ethics of care
Reflective articles on conducting sensitive research
Reflective on sensitive research
Marzetti, H. (2024). Exploring possibilities for a feminist ethic of collective care in suicide research. Feminism & Psychology, 0(0). https://doi.org/10.1177/09593535241280180 [Open access]
Burrell, A., Costello, B., Hobson, Morton, R., Gutierrez Muñoz, C., Thomas, K. & Kloess, J-A. (2023). Being prepared for emotionally demanding research. Commun Psychol 1(9). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44271-023-00008-x [Open access]
Silverio, S. A., Sheen, K. S., Bramante, A., Knighting, K., Koops, T. U., Montgomery, E., November, L., Soulsby, L. K., Stevenson, J. H., Watkins, M., Easter, A., & Sandall, J. (2022). Sensitive, Challenging, and Difficult Topics: Experiences and Practical Considerations for Qualitative Researchers. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 21. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069221124739 [Open access]
Significance of reflexivity & reflection
Karcher, K., McCuaig, J., & King-Hill, S. (2024). (Self-) Reflection / Reflexivity in Sensitive, Qualitative Research: A Scoping Review. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 23. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069241261860 [Open access]
Reflecting on recruitment
Turner, N., & Almack, K. (2016). Recruiting young people to sensitive research: turning the ‘wheels within wheels.’ International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 20(5), 485–497. https://uhra.herts.ac.uk/bitstream/2299/19292/4/Accepted_Manuscript.pdf [Open access]
Researcher wellbeing
Researcher wellbeing
MASTERY - Managing Sensitive Topics in Teaching and Research Confidently. MASTERY seeks to change how we deal with ‘sensitive’ topics in academia. (https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/euniwell-mastery)
RES-WEL a toolkit for RESearcher WELLbeing to support principal investigators and their funders on ethically and emotionally challenging research topics. (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/global-health/sites/global_health/files/res-well_toolkit_0.pdf)