Ward, J.

Researching drug sellers: an 'experiential' account from 'the field'

Article

Ward, J. 2008. Researching drug sellers: an 'experiential' account from 'the field'. Sociological research online. 13 (1), pp. 31-42. https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.1673

Publication dates
Type	Article
Title	Researching drug sellers: an 'experiential' account from 'the field'
Authors	Ward, J.
Abstract	Ethnographic research techniques are well regarded as a way to elicit detailed understandings of human interaction. They are particularly useful for examining 'deviant' cultures and the dynamics of illegal activity. Though, ethnographic research on illegal activity can be 'messy'. This paper reports some practical and ethical issues encountered while carrying out an ethnographic study of drug use and drug selling among 'rave' dance participants in London. In particular it addresses the issue of using friendship to assist the research relationship and the use of a semi-covert style of research. Connected to this, it touches on the emotional work of the fieldworker whilst undertaking 'sensitive' research. It makes a timely contribution to discussions of 'reflexivity' in the research process, as well as the discourse on social sciences research governance. It argues the standardized codes of ethical conduct can not easily be translated to ethnographic research on criminal activity, such as drug use and drug selling.
Keywords	drugs; ethical dilemmas; ethnography; reflexivity
Publisher	British Sociological Association
Journal	Sociological research online
ISSN	1360-7804
Online	21 Mar 2008
Print	28 Mar 2008
Publication process dates
Deposited	21 Sep 2009
Accepted	18 Feb 2008
Submitted	30 Apr 2007
Output status	Published
Web address (URL)	http://www.socresonline.org.uk/13/1/14.html
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)	https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.1673
Web of Science identifier	WOS:000256695100003
Language	English

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