Åpenhet under press

Abstract

In this article we present two of the consultative responses to the document round for the new ethic guidelines for research that was published by NESH autumn 2020 (Fürst m-fl. 2020, Sosialantropologisk institutt 2020). The backÅrgang 32, nr. 2-2021, s. 87–101 ISSN online: 1504-2898 CAMILLA HANSEN OG ELISABETH L’ORANGE FÜRST 88 ground for the consultative round is the new GDPR regulation that have several practical consequences for disciplines in the Humanities and Social Sciences, not least for Social Anthropology. The article contextualizes the consultation texts focusing what we call a silent import of hard science and quantative methods into qualitative research methods like participant observations and ethnography. We analyse the texts using concepts like management practises and governmental rationality. We argue that the new ethic guidelines for research has consequences that put participant observation methodology, research freedom and openness as well as ethical courage under pressure. Requirement of beforehand approved research questions, informed consent, anonymity, ethical considerations of vulnerability/ sensitivity limit the fields of study, as well as methodological approaches, research processes and ways of writing. Bureaucratic practices enact a power displacement, we argue, that limit diversity in research and education.