Researching with individuals/couples undergoing IVF treatments: ethical, practical and methodological insights from within the field

In this chapter, we discuss some ethical and methodological issues in researching sensitive topics with potentially vulnerable groups and put forward some practical suggestions departing from the insights gathered from the research field. This reflection draws on a mixed-methods research project into the expert and lay meaning-making about human embryos created in vitro, that is, in the laboratory, within the application of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and, namely, in vitro fertilisation (IVF). The research encompassed both qualitative and quantitative methodologies (namely semi-structured interviews and an online survey) and targeted both the beneficiaries of these techniques and the health professionals responsible for their application. For this exploration, we focus on the multiple challenges that emerged in the process of engaging with and collecting data from ART users, putting the focus not only on the emotional competencies of the researcher but also on the empowerment of the participants through their speech. We conclude that tackling vulnerability and sensitivity in research is a two-way road, where the emotional work of both the researcher and the study participants is of crucial importance. This requires not only deconstructing certain postulates but also embracing conceptual fluidity and critical reflexivity.