Leaving the Field

Ethical Dimensions of Leaving the Field

Power relations between field researcher and those researched may become evident in the expectations of these parties when fieldwork ends. Researchers may have greater access to resources (physical, intellectual, cultural) than those they research. Also, during fieldwork, a number of formal or informal research bargains may have been struck between researcher and participants, such as an agreement not to undermine hierarchies or other commitments concerning behavior or confidentiality. Such research bargains with informants may meet psychosocial needs; for example, to have an interested, unengaged, or neutral ear to listen. Participants may be willing to talk or be observed, so long as their anonymity is respected. Sometimes there will be a more tangible bargain; for instance, to assist in some project or struggle or to provide feedback to support participants' objectives. When leaving the field, the researcher's commitment to these bargains needs to be confirmed explicitly so that participants are reassured that their trust and participation in the research are respected and rewarded.

Informal relations may also have developed during fieldwork, including emotional or psychosocial engagements with researchers. These affective relations must be addressed before a researcher leaves a field, and culturally appropriate forms of valediction must be undertaken. Researchers may need to use informants to check what kinds of expectations are held by participants concerning departure.

Consequences for the Researcher

Fieldworkers may experience loss when leaving a field setting where they have built up working and living relationships with informants and participants. This loss must be managed and acknowledged. There are accounts of relations being sustained subsequent to leaving the field, and this is acceptable, subject to cultural constraints.

Other Issues in Leaving the Field

Field relations do not fit within a standardized pattern and, on occasion, unusual research bargains may have been struck. There may be financial issues to be settled, if money or goods have been promised to research [Page 484]informants or participants. Other research bargains may involve providing education or training, facilitating connections to influential persons, or sustaining personal contacts where friendships or relationships have emerged between researcher and participants. More frequently, there may have been an agreement to present findings from the study to participants in one form or another.