Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value
This Learning Note explores the methodological, ethical, and practical dimensions of conducting qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings. It highlights how long-term, context-sensitive approaches—such as participant observation and in-depth conversations—offer unique insights into...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Brief |
| Language: | Inglés |
| Published: |
2025
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| Online Access: | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176370 |
| _version_ | 1855540560949936128 |
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| author | Behrends, Andrea Urbani, Ilaria |
| author_browse | Behrends, Andrea Urbani, Ilaria |
| author_facet | Behrends, Andrea Urbani, Ilaria |
| author_sort | Behrends, Andrea |
| collection | Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace) |
| description | This Learning Note explores the methodological, ethical, and practical dimensions of conducting qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings. It highlights how long-term, context-sensitive approaches—such as participant observation and in-depth conversations—offer unique insights into displacement, recovery, and social transformation that quantitative data alone cannot capture. The note underscores the value of complementing qualitative depth with quantitative breadth, fostering triangulation and credibility. Central to this reflection are ethical considerations, including participant safety, cultural sensitivity, and researcher positionality, which demand reflexivity and adherence to the principle of “do no harm.” Drawing on anthropological perspectives, the note illustrates how localized knowledge, historical awareness, and sustained engagement can enrich humanitarian and development research. Ultimately, it argues that rigorous and ethically grounded qualitative inquiry is indispensable for understanding human agency and resilience in fragile contexts, and for informing more effective and respectful responses to crises. |
| format | Brief |
| id | CGSpace176370 |
| institution | CGIAR Consortium |
| language | Inglés |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | CGSpace1763702025-11-05T12:40:41Z Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value Behrends, Andrea Urbani, Ilaria conflicts qualitative analysis indigenous peoples' knowledge-indigenous knowledge humanitarian organizations ethics anthropology This Learning Note explores the methodological, ethical, and practical dimensions of conducting qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings. It highlights how long-term, context-sensitive approaches—such as participant observation and in-depth conversations—offer unique insights into displacement, recovery, and social transformation that quantitative data alone cannot capture. The note underscores the value of complementing qualitative depth with quantitative breadth, fostering triangulation and credibility. Central to this reflection are ethical considerations, including participant safety, cultural sensitivity, and researcher positionality, which demand reflexivity and adherence to the principle of “do no harm.” Drawing on anthropological perspectives, the note illustrates how localized knowledge, historical awareness, and sustained engagement can enrich humanitarian and development research. Ultimately, it argues that rigorous and ethically grounded qualitative inquiry is indispensable for understanding human agency and resilience in fragile contexts, and for informing more effective and respectful responses to crises. 2025-08-01 2025-09-08T06:46:20Z 2025-09-08T06:46:20Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176370 en Open Access application/pdf Behrends, A.; Urbani, I. (2025). Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value. Learning Note No. 10 – Qualitative studies. 2 p. |
| spellingShingle | conflicts qualitative analysis indigenous peoples' knowledge-indigenous knowledge humanitarian organizations ethics anthropology Behrends, Andrea Urbani, Ilaria Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value |
| title | Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value |
| title_full | Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value |
| title_fullStr | Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value |
| title_full_unstemmed | Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value |
| title_short | Qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings: Reflections on methodology, ethics, and value |
| title_sort | qualitative research in conflict and humanitarian settings reflections on methodology ethics and value |
| topic | conflicts qualitative analysis indigenous peoples' knowledge-indigenous knowledge humanitarian organizations ethics anthropology |
| url | https://hdl.handle.net/10568/176370 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT behrendsandrea qualitativeresearchinconflictandhumanitariansettingsreflectionsonmethodologyethicsandvalue AT urbaniilaria qualitativeresearchinconflictandhumanitariansettingsreflectionsonmethodologyethicsandvalue |