Qualitative research methods involve the use of multiple ways by researchers to collect data and explore the data through literature review (Merriam & Tisdell, 2015) . Qualitative research is described as a data collection instrument, meaning mediation of data is done via the human instrument instead of using questionnaires, machines, and inventories. For a qualitative researcher to fulfill this role, he or she should be aware of the human instrument. A qualitative researcher should be able to describe relevant self-aspects that include any assumptions and biases, experiences, and expectations to qualify to conduct the research. The person conducting the research is the primary instrument of data assembling which involves identification of biases, assumptions and personal values at the research’s outset (Merriam & Tisdell, 2015) . Besides, researchers ask one or more questions that can be answered in many ways, along with other questions. In summary, a researcher’s role is included in an intensive experience with the people being researched. Subsequently, this introduces some personal and ethical issues in the process of qualitative research.
Unique issues which researchers should be concerned about regarding their role in research can be related to cultural anthropology in a normal setting in which events and human behavior happen, hence provide social order, stability, and structure to people, either individuals or groups (Williams, 2017) . In such a setting, social relations are crucial since they assist in getting accurate information in the research. However, there might be few available researchers who are socially familiar with the research or researchers are not able to relate to the people always. Consequently, these personal and ethical issues make it difficult in research that is ethnographical since ethnography is focused on defining the group or individuals that are involved in a study through analysis and interpretation of data. On the contrary, ethnographical research involves interfering with the daily life of the participant as the participants are being observed all the time. For this reason, ethical considerations are a priority and an essential part of an ethnographical research. Constructive interaction and improved collaboration can help one to develop mutual respect and trust through understanding each other’s perspectives (Jarzabkowski, Bednarek & Cabantous, 2015) . A researcher might have similar characteristics with the researched people in one community, but be very different in another community. People are not equally interconnected. Therefore, if a researcher cannot relate socially with the researched group, the information received might be inaccurate.
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Actions that a researcher can take to ensure he or she maintains their neutral and ethical stance in performing qualitative research and reporting their research results revolve around the code of ethics. The primary ethical obligation of researchers is to obtain informed consent from the people they are working with. Moreover, they should ensure anonymity and also avoid intentional harm to the people and their environment. Another code for researchers is that they should not intentionally misinterpret the information or deceive. Instead, they should preserve future fieldwork opportunities for others who come after them and also consider all reasonable requests to access the data for research purposes (Jarzabkowski, Bednarek & Cabantous, 2015) . The research results should be made accessible to the public. Lastly, they should not discriminate based on gender, race, political position or class. Researchers who apply the code of ethics to obtain the trust and build relationships with their participants, they obtain research access through seeking approval of the gatekeepers. Gatekeepers, in this case, are people who enable the research process to take place and provide area access. Also, the researcher should protect the research participants as this makes them feel trusted, hence promote integrity to the research. Also, a researcher should fill the informed consent form, a document which has the set standards which appreciates human rights protections. A researcher should build relationships which are maintained by mutual respect and trust with participants. To do this, they have to obtain an ethical and neutral stance.
I believe Alice Goffman, as she worked in Philadelphia’s inner city in 2009, maintained an ethical and neutral stance. Goffman’s method of data acquisition is similar to that which is recommended for researchers to acquire the needed information. Goffman took six years in conducting fieldwork even though the primary focus was social injustice in the black neighborhoods and ways in which the punishment was done in the court. The data that was gathered by Goffman has changed from that of the 1980s. For example, she states that “urban ethnographers described the distrust that black people often felt towards the police and one another”. From the research done by Goffman, a qualitative ethnography was performed on inner-city Philadelphia and the social problems that people in this town face. The literature of the research relied on interviews, field experiments, and statistical data.
The book ‘On the Run’ is a narration by Alice Goffman about troubling stories told by against-the-grain ethnographers (Goffman, 2009) . Goffman attempts to link these stories with other social issues that are larger, such as strained relations which exist between African American people and the police and violent activities that sorcerers do that are against individuals from their communities. Ethnographers have skillfully recounted on these stories, opening themselves to scrutiny by their colleagues, the world of their subjects and their readers’ curiosity. As a result, their human vulnerability is exposed. Evidently, they discuss their judgment errors, make mistakes and express their misgivings and fears. The vulnerability here is an important part of Goffman’s book which creates connections between the reader and the writer. The connections compel readers to continue reading, think and even feel a new feeling.
The data that Goffman collected relates to poor communities which have built on the struggles of the community of the blacks and the justice system (Goffman, 2009) . Goffman’s story was developed from an ordinary setting. Hence, lack of law enforcement in that society led it to be called a ‘ghetto.’ Also, Goffman managed to conduct personal and one on one interviews with what she observed.
From the information that Goffman obtained, this would only be possible through qualitative research. The literature of the research heavily relied on field experiments, interviews, and statistical data (Goffman, 2009) . Quantitative data is found in numbers that include survey question. The work done by Alice Goffman involved interactions with people and understanding them from different levels. In fact, this would not have happened with quantitative research.
In conclusion, qualitative research guidelines and using cultural, social and historical past experiences are essential in shaping interpretations that are drawn from a case study. Moreover, going to fieldworks where you talk to or observe people in their natural setting is the best method of gathering ethnographic data. Considering qualitative research, particularly ethnographical research, in the creation of public policy and informing decision-making process, I think ethnography has little impact when it comes to public policy. Policy makers have different professional ties, values, and languages. Therefore, evidence that is research-based is a minor factor when it comes to development and policies.
References
Goffman, A. (2009). On the run: Wanted men in a Philadelphia ghetto. American sociological review , 74 (3), 339-357.
Jarzabkowski, P., Bednarek, R., & Cabantous, L. (2015). Conducting global team-based ethnography: Methodological challenges and practical methods. Human Relations , 68 (1), 3-33.
Merriam, S. B., & Tisdell, E. J. (2015). Qualitative research: A guide to design and implementation . John Wiley & Sons.
Williams, T. (2017). Visiting the Tiger Zone–Methodological, Conceptual and Ethical Challenges of Ethnographic Research on Perpetrators. International Peacekeeping , 1-20.
