COVID-19 and the 'ethics of disruption': Current dilemmas facing longitudinal research in low- and middle-income countries. Issue 1 (February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crivello, Gina; Favara, Marta
• Is Part Of: Methodological innovations. Volume 14:Issue 1(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-02
• Subjects: Ethics -- longitudinal research -- low- and middle-income countries -- COVID-19 -- phone survey; Research -- Methodology -- Periodicals; Social sciences -- Methodology -- Periodicals; 300.72
• DOI: 10.1177/2059799121994223
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2059-7991

Abstract

In this piece, we draw on recent experiences from the Young Lives study to discuss some of the ethical and practical challenges facing longitudinal cohort studies in low- and middle-income countries in the time of coronavirus. We argue that COVID-19 has instigated an 'ethics of disruption' for social researchers across the world, and for longitudinal cohort studies like Young Lives, this requires navigating three core considerations: first, managing research relationships and reciprocity within an observational study design; second, maintaining methodological continuity and consistency across time; and third, balancing an immediate short-term response to COVID-19 against the long-term perspective. We refer to the study's plan to implement a new COVID-19 phone survey to illustrate how the team are navigating this altered ethical terrain.