Summary:
The Canadian Council for Refugees (CCR), Centre for Refugee Studies, and Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies (CARFMS / ACERMF) developed ethical guidelines for research with people in situations of forced migration.
The guidelines include a checklist for organizations who are approached by researchers, to help evaluate whether the research will be conducted ethically, and taking into consideration the particular vulnerabilities of people who have been forcibly displaced.
Background:
"In situations of forced migration, the stakes are particularly high because of precarious legal status, unequal power relations, far-reaching anti-terrorism legislation, and the criminalization of migration. In response, the Canadian Council for Refugees, York’s Centre for Refugee Studies, and the Canadian Association for Refugee and Forced Migration Studies collaborated to complement established ethical principles with specific ethical considerations for research with people in situations of forced migration. This executive summary highlights our guiding principles and applies the ethical concepts of voluntary, informed consent; respect for privacy; and cost-benefit analysis. It is of relevance to anyone involved in gathering information - whether in an academic or community setting - and those who are asked to take part in research."
Guiding Principles for Researchers:
Applying the Guiding Principles:
Downloads:
Download the Ethical Considerations: Research with People in Situations of Forced Migration
The document “Your Rights in Research" (see document in different languages below) provides an information sheet for people taking part in forced migration research. It discusses what voluntary, informed consent is, their right to privacy and confidentiality, and the researcher’s obligation to do no harm.
The document is available in these languages:
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