Covert research in ethnography is beset with

Concept

Covert research conceals the researcher’s identity or purpose from participants. Research ethics requires respect for autonomy, informed consent, privacy, confidentiality, and protection from harm.

Because concealment limits participants’ knowledge and consent, covert methods require especially careful ethical justification and safeguards.

Application

In covert ethnography, people may be observed without knowing that they are research participants. This directly raises questions about consent, deception, privacy, confidentiality, and possible harm.

Contrast

• Personal issues concern an individual’s private circumstances or preferences; they are not the principal methodological concern created by concealment.

• Political issues concern governance, public power, or policy; covert fieldwork does not necessarily involve such matters.

• Historical issues concern past events, chronology, and interpretation of records; these do not arise merely because a study is covert.

Cross-check

If participants cannot knowingly consent or control the use of information about them, the governing principles being tested are research-ethics principles. Therefore, covert ethnographic research is beset with ethical issues.