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Mindful Ethics: Comments on Informant-Centered Practices in Sociological Research

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Abstract

In this article, I introduce the concept of “mindful ethics” to describe my experiences as a feminist qualitative researcher who has confronted ethical dilemmas in my sexuality research. Mindful ethics is informed theoretically by mindful inquiry, grounded theory, ethics in practice, and ethically important moments. Mindful ethics has been useful in dealing with ethical considerations throughout all stages of my sexuality research. Shifting my attention to the takenfor-granted social contexts and circumstances surrounding informants’ life experiences has helped me deal with ethical concerns that otherwise may have resulted in harm to informants.

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Acknowledgments

I want to express my gratitude to Kathleen Blee and Ashley Currier for their generous support and feedback in the preparation of this article and for organizing the “Beyond the IRB: New Frontiers in the Ethics of Qualitative Research” conference, which gave life to it. My gratitude also goes to Bernadette Barton, Rachel Einwohner, Verta Taylor, Leila Rupp, and Melissa Swauger for their intellectual support and stimulation, and to Lisa Ruchti for her comments and remarks at the conference. My special gratitude goes to Jodi O’Brien for listening to me and helping me process my ideas so generously as I shared this article with her.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Sociology, University of Texas at Austin, 1 University Station A1700, Austin, TX, 78712, USA

    Gloria González-López

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  1. Gloria González-López
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Correspondence to Gloria González-López.

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González-López, G. Mindful Ethics: Comments on Informant-Centered Practices in Sociological Research. Qual Sociol 34, 447–461 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-011-9199-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11133-011-9199-8

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