Community-Based Research Project for Vulnerable Groups - Essay Example

Keywords: vulnerable, ethical research, cultural aspects, populations, ethical considerations.

Introduction
Children constitute the largest population of vulnerable groups in that at their tender age while growing and developing faced with “dangers” of lack of resistance or recovery in case there is a natural or manmade disaster. Physically, they are not mature or grown enough to resist disasters such as bad weather which come with consequences such as chronic water and weather-borne diseases and ailments; socially, the generational gap between them and other peers, change of physical and social environment, and parenting skills put on high risk of easy manipulation to the currency of the society. In addition, children are psychologically vulnerable due to their dependence on a role model as they grow and develop which is greatly influenced by the social aspects and interactions within a given community or population for study purposes (Denscombe, 2010).

Ethical Considerations
Ethical research calls for considerations of factors and standard provisions studying and analyzing phenomena due to the sensitivity of these populations and their respective degree of vulnerability (Hacker, 2013) which in our case the following ethical considerations are paramount.

 Avoid causing harm: children lack the physical strength to resist these catastrophes and their recovery in case of a disaster will be varied depending on its magnitude and scope and thus researchers should employ strategies that do not cause any harm and if they cause, he/she should explain the benefits to the subject before starting off.

 Informed consent: This is where the researcher should explain all aspects of the study to the subjects of observation for information purposes and to ensure that participants get involved in activities they understand, comprehend, and attempt willingly. For example, children will have varied views or perceptions on the particular aspect of the study of which handling them with special care and ensuring that they freely and willing participate, the researcher is assured of credible and reliable information.

 Respect of individual autonomy: Children at young stages are talented differently and the objective of the study may not primarily rhyme with subjects’ needs and aspirations with time and it is the role of the researcher to incorporate these diversities for an intrinsic and comprehensive study/ analysis.

Considering the degree of vulnerability associated with this population, being conscious of multiple roles will be an appropriate strategy in that the researcher and other organizational representatives assume multiple roles such as being mentors and observers at the same time; maintaining effective relationships before the process begins and ensuring voluntary participation backed with information and consent (Hugman, pittaway&Bartolomei, 2011). These will be in line with the cultural sensitivity aspects associated with children such as learning processes, self-realization, and esteem, sense of belonging, and personal development. In addition, other socio-cultural aspects such as perspectives on privacy and consent cannot be ignored in this group since levels and personal freedom, degree of self-esteem, and actualization will be different among the subjects and putting global variations such as spiritual orientation, comprehensive and reliable analysis is guaranteed (Singleton & Straits, 2010).
Conclusion
Analysis of human factors and phenomena more so on vulnerable populations calls for an effective strategy governed by ethical research procedures which help to control the test subjects, ensure equitable sharing of power and resources, results and knowledge, and other cultural aspects in the specific field of study.
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