Which Research Methodology for an Exploratory Study on a Sensitive Political Issue, Involving a Vulnerable Population?

Conducting research on sensitive political subjects involving vulnerable populations necessitates a profound shift in methodology. This article examines the forced transfer of children from Reunion Island to France (1962–1984), analyzing the psychological impact of state policy. Over a four-year exploratory phase, the study establishes six fundamental clinical principles: observation, immersion, empathy, tact, and a phenomenological approach. The final principle ensures scientific rigor through dual validation: the step-by-step restitution of findings to participants and a systematic analysis of researcher subjectivity. This work provides an ethical, rigorous model for engaging with traumatized groups within the social sciences.