The Serendipity of Overhearing: Ethical Reflexivity in Doing Anthropological Fieldwork
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Abstract
This article explores the ethical issues surrounding the accidental acquisition of information during anthropological fieldwork. It examines the ethical complexities and epistemological value of unintentionally overhearing data. Using qualitative research approaches, the author reflects on fieldwork experience and integrates insight from key literature. The article highlights the significant role of accidental overhearing in deepening understanding of sociocultural life while questioning the limitations of existing ethical frameworks, which may not fully address the unique context of such occurrences. In doing anthropological fieldwork, the article argues for anthropologists to make their own ethical choices, the idea of thinking to balance an ethical dilemma for handling accidentally overheard information by reconciling ethical responsibility with the use of such data to generate new knowledge and understanding without violating fundamental ethical principles.
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