This session explores mindfulness and how to approach conducting research interviews in communities with empathy.

Why Cultural Mindfulness?

Cultural Mindfulness & Research Ethics

It is the researcher’s primary responsibility to ensure that participants, special interest groups, and vulnerable communities involved in their research are protected. Accordingly, conducting research that may involve other cultures requires that participants abide not only by the ethical codes, but also conduct their research in a manner that prevents unreasonable generalization and stigmatization or abuse of the participants from within their communities or other communities (Israel, & Hay 2006).

Discussion Prompts

Scenario  1

In certain African cultures, young people are expected to express respect for elders through submissiveness. In these cultures, it may be challenging for a young person to decline participation in research willingly. Additionally, they may provide responses that align with the perceived interests of the researcher.

Discussion Questions:

1. How can researchers ensure that the cultural norms of respect and submissiveness are acknowledged and respected during the research process, particularly when dealing with younger participants in the African context?
2. In what ways might power dynamics, influenced by age or other factors, impact the openness and authenticity of responses during interviews in cultures where deference to authority is emphasized?
3. What strategies can be implemented to create an inclusive and culturally sensitive research environment that encourages participants to express their perspectives freely, even when it may differ from the perceived expectations of the researcher?

Scenario 2

You are conducting a research project focused on environmental sustainability and climate change adaptation strategies in a Native American community with a rich history of traditional ecological knowledge. The community has expressed concerns about the potential exploitation of their cultural wisdom and the misappropriation of sacred practices by outsiders.

Discussion Prompt:

1. How can researchers approach this study with cultural mindfulness and respect for Indigenous perspectives?
2. What ethical considerations should be taken into account to ensure the preservation of indigenous knowledge while fostering a collaborative and empowering research environment?
3. How might the research team engage with the community in a way that recognizes the historical power imbalances and builds a mutually beneficial partnership for knowledge exchange and environmental sustainability?

When Research Goes Wrong

• It is not always perfect. How do we process the afterthoughts of a not-so-great interview?
• What could go wrong?
  • List and discuss some ways interviews could go wrong
  • How do we resolve the situations listed above?