Ethics in Family Violence Research: Cross-Cultural Issues

Ethical issues in cross-cultural research on family violence in Chile and Puerto Ricans are examined, suggesting ways for researchers to increase understanding and avoid abuses of power.

Abstract

This article examines ethical issues in cross-cultural research on family violence. It suggests ways for researchers to increase understanding and avoid abuses of power. Special attention to informed consent, definition of the sample, composition of the research team, research methods, and potential harm and benefit are considered key to designing ethical cross-cultural research. The discussion is illustrated with examples from the literature and from the author's experiences conducting research on sexual abuse in a shanty town in Chile and with Puerto Ricans in the U.S.