Document Type

Article

Publication Date

9-2025

Publication Title

International Journal of Qualitative Methods

Volume

24

Publisher

Sage Journals

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069251376310

Abstract

Qualitative research inquiry that centers vulnerable communities requires more than methodological rigor—it necessitates deep, authentic engagement with the populations involved. This paper explores strategies qualitative researchers can use to foster meaningful, ethical, and transparent relationships with participants and community partners throughout the research process. Illustrated through applied vignettes from our experience carrying out focus group research with military-connected teens and families, we share strategies for conducting community research through intentional preparation, thoughtful recruitment, innovative data collection, reflexive analyses, and sustained follow-up efforts that contribute to community trust and the co-production of knowledge. We highlight the importance of meeting communities where they are, taking time to listen and learn, and ensuring research is not merely extractive but reciprocal. By prioritizing approaches that center the lived experiences and perspectives of members of vulnerable communities, we argue that researchers are better equipped to capture the complex realities of vulnerable populations while also empowering communities through the research process. The ideas presented align with ongoing discourse on best practices in community-based qualitative methods and expand into practical recommendations for both emerging and established scholars in behavioral, social, and health science disciplines. This work contributes to the growing body of literature on ethical, engaged research methodologies by synthesizing strategies that have worked for us at various stages before, during, and after the traditional research process and demonstrating how scholars can move beyond transactional exchanges to engage in transformative research. Ultimately, we hope implementation of these approaches leads to more collaborative, sustainable partnerships that enhance both research outcomes and community health and well-being.

Comments

© The Author(s) 2025.

Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC 4.0) This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits non-commercial use, reproduction and distribution of the work without further permission provided the original work is attributed as specified on the SAGE and Open Access pages (https://us.sagepub.com/en-us/nam/open-access-at-sage). Request permissions for this article.

Download

Share

COinS