When 'Do No Harm' Is Not Enough: The Ethics of Research with Refugees and Other Vulnerable Groups

Ethics in social work research increasingly recognises that the rights and interests of subjects must be primary. The principal aim is to ensure that the subjects of research are protected from harm that might result from their participation in the research. In this article, research ethics are examined in the context of refugees and other vulnerable groups. It is argued that the ancient idea of seeking to ‘do no harm’ that continues to be a key principle in the refugee field, while necessary, is insufficient to ensure ethically sound research practice. A more sophisticated approach is required in research with such groups in order to ensure that social work's ethical responsibilities are realised. This article discusses a model of participatory research as a vehicle for developing research ethics in social work.