The Conflict Sensitivity Principle: Can Best Practice in Conflict Research Fill the Ethics Gap in Terrorism and Counterterrorism Research Practice?

This article explores how best practice in conflict research can address some of the key gaps and limitations of the terrorism research field with regards to research ethics. It draws from conflict research literature, as well as the authors’ primary research experience in Fragile and Conflict-Affec...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Harris, Alistair (Author)
Contributors: Almeida, Manuel Castro
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Published: 2021
In: Terrorism and political violence
Year: 2021, Volume: 33, Issue: 2, Pages: 381-396
Online Access: Volltext (lizenzpflichtig)
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Keywords:
target audience analysis
systems conflict analysis
conflict sensitivity
conflict studies
preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE)
terrorism research
ethical conduct of research
research ethics
Description
Summary:This article explores how best practice in conflict research can address some of the key gaps and limitations of the terrorism research field with regards to research ethics. It draws from conflict research literature, as well as the authors’ primary research experience in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCAS) and in the policy-oriented field of Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism (P/CVE). The analysis focuses on “conflict sensitivity” and the methodological approaches that have been developed and refined under the framework of that principle, including Systems Conflict Analysis. We seek to demonstrate how the integration of research methods related to conflict sensitivity represents an appropriate and fitting research agenda, through which relevant limitations of terrorism research can be addressed. This research agenda emphasizes, among other aspects, the need for solid primary research grounded in a detailed understanding of the local context, a departure from the narrow understanding of the Do No Harm principle in terrorism research, and a greater awareness about the relationship between research ethics and research methods.
ISSN:1556-1836
DOI:10.1080/09546553.2021.1880159