Cultural Sensitivity and Case Study

Conceptual Overview and Discussion

Within the current climate of multiculturalism and plurality, research methods are needed that are culturally sensitive and can be used for working with diverse culture-sharing groups. Culture-sharing groups are those that have, for instance, common beliefs, behaviors, rituals, and communication styles. A culture might include ethnic groups such as a particular Indigenous tribe, or groups such as sex trade workers or skateboarders. Culture sensitivity requires researchers to develop knowledge about another cultural group and the skills and attitudes required to work with the group's members. Knowledge would include understanding traditions and practices such as initiation rites or specialized vocabulary. Skills would include learning verbal and nonverbal cues such as nicknames or hand gestures. Attitudes would include flexibility and patience.

Case study research enables researchers to investigate phenomena within a particular context. Pilot studies using this approach are particularly important for developing cultural sensitivity; they help researchers gain knowledge, practice skills, and develop attitudes to prepare for longer-term work involving a larger sample of the culture-sharing group. Establishing relationships with representatives of the group or gatekeepers will assist researchers to appreciate how cultural factors operate in the research setting and help in developing culturally sensitive protocols for activities such as accessing participants, gaining informed consent, or gathering data. Researchers need to assess their own values and attitudes about the culture, keep detailed field notes, and continually reevaluate personal reactions while working with participant groups. The development of rapport with culture members, based on trust and respect, can help mitigate miscommunication and false assumptions due to lack of understanding.

Researchers need to step aside from the traditional role of power in the research relationship and view participants as their teachers. Nonhierarchical ways of engaging with research participants can help establish respect for a culture's ways of knowing. For example, researchers who are culturally sensitive might adopt culturally appropriate approaches to sharing information, such as using talking circles with Indigenous participants to ensure each member has an opportunity to speak. Participants' theories about phenomena observed in the cultural setting inform the study and are placed alongside the researcher's theories for further discussion.

Representing the case in a culturally sensitive fashion involves the use of thick description and frequent member checks to show respect for participants' understandings of the phenomenon of study. Innovative and culturally sensitive ways of sharing knowledge about the case also are needed. Groups with oral traditions might receive researchers' comments in narrative format, for example. Researchers need to be reminded that transferring findings to a group outside of the culture may be disrespectful to both the community that offered to participate in the research and the group outside the culture. It cannot be assumed, for example, that findings from one group of Indigenous people can be used in another Indigenous community. Recommendations arising from the research need to be culturally relevant for the specific group.

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