‘How much do we need to know?’ On the Ethical implications of Operational Research in Humanitarian Settings
‘How much do we need to know?’ On the Ethical implications of Operational Research in Humanitarian Settings

Summary/Abstract: International Non-governmental Organisations (INGOs) have long conducted operational research (OR), a mode of investigation that follows specific rationale and criteria. In the present work, I draw on my experience of conducting a survey with Central-American migrants in Mexico in the context of a humanitarian organisation to outline some of the particularities of operational research and examine the ethical dilemmas that arise from this modality of investigation. By centring my analysis on a question often posed by colleagues– ‘how much do we need to know?’ - I explore three interrelated topics. First, I look at the process of obtaining consent, reflecting on the organisation’s dual role as both healthcare provider and researcher. Next, I examine how research questions are defined and in relation to whose interests. Lastly, I discuss the definition of survey categories, examining how OR often contributes to framing migrants’ experiences according to pre-determined narratives of victimhood.

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