Conducting Research Activities and Interviews Off-Campus

Compliance with this guidance should assist in:

• protecting investigators by reducing the risk of exposure to physical threat or abuse.
• preventing investigators from being placed in a situation in which they might be vulnerable to accusations of improper behaviour.
• protecting participants by providing investigators with advice on best practice in this area.

Before undertaking research activities or interviews off-campus, a risk assessment must be conducted taking into account the factors below.  It may be necessary to amend or redesign a proposal following such an assessment to mitigate the risks.

• Method: Is it necessary to conduct one-to-one interviews, or would an alternative methodology be more appropriate. Is it possible for investigators to work in pairs?
• Interview location: Where should interviews/activities take place? A public place may be a safer option than the participant’s home.
• Investigators: Who should conduct the interviews/activities? Which investigator has the appropriate skills/experience?
• Interviewees/Participants:  Who are the participants? Are they drawn from a vulnerable or potentially hostile group?

• Investigators should ensure they are familiar with the area they are visiting e.g. study a map of the area or visit the location in advance.
• Investigators should know in advance the location of hubs of activity such as shops, pubs, schools or the local police station which may provide investigators with assistance should this be necessary.
• Investigators should be aware of any social or cultural tensions in the area.
• If travelling by car, investigators should consider the safest place to park, e.g. a well-lit area after dark.
• If using public transport, investigators should check its reliability and be able to contact a reputable local taxi firm

• Investigators should take time to investigate and understand the individual circumstances of participants before conducting an off-campus interview. If appropriate, investigators should be aware of the psychological/behavioural history of participants. Being aware of potentially volatile individuals and/or circumstances in advance can help investigators to plan accordingly.

• New staff should have general training on conducting off-campus interviews, and basic interview skills during their induction period. This may include accompanying a more experienced colleague on an off-campus visit.
• Investigators conducting off-campus interviews/activities should be trained in techniques for handling threats, abuse or compromising situations.
• Some research may require additional specific training such as understanding cultural/religious norms.

The personal safety of investigators working off-campus is paramount and should be considered more important than the successful completion of the interviews/activities.

Investigators SHOULD NOT:

• Enter someone's home if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe.
• Enter a house if the person they have arranged to see is not there.
• Undertake an interview or assessment in a bedroom.
• Give a personal telephone number or address to a participant.

Investigators SHOULD:

• Ask a project supervisor or colleague to accompany them if they feel uncomfortable.
• Upon arrival (or if requested for observations), explain their research role and the conditions of confidentiality to the participant and offer them the opportunity to ask questions.
• Consider an appropriate exit strategy (what to say etc) should they wish to terminate an interview/activity early.
• Take steps to leave a situation immediately if they feel unsafe or uncomfortable.
• Adopt a friendly and professional manner when conducting interviews/activities but be careful not to be over-familiar.
• Ask for household pets to be shut in another room if their presence during the interview/activity is a cause of concern.

It is essential that investigators conducting off-campus interviews/activities maintain contact with a nominated colleague e.g. project supervisor. The investigator should ensure the nominated colleague knows the following:

• Name, address and telephone contact of participant/destination.
• Investigator's mobile telephone number.
• Time of leaving the office/starting the activity.
• Method of transport to location (car registration if appropriate).
• Time of interview/activity and expected duration.

Investigators should contact their nominated colleague when they arrive at the location. When undertaking one-to-one interviews, in the presence of the participant, the investigator should inform their nominated colleague where they are and who they are with.

If at any point during the interview or activity the investigator feels unsafe; they should excuse themselves, go to another room or location, and call for assistance using their mobile phone. Departments may wish to consider introducing codes in case of a threatening situation. For example, phoning to ask a colleague to check if you have left a ring-binder on the desk could be a code for "I do not feel safe, please send someone to the house."

Once the interview/activity has been completed, the investigator should contact their nominated colleague at an agreed time to let them know they have left safely. If the interview/activity is still in progress when the deadline for contacting their nominated colleague approaches, the researcher should contact their nominated colleague to inform them. If the deadline passes and the investigator has not been in contact, their nominated colleague should ring the mobile phone of the investigator. If there is no answer, the nominated colleague should ring again 10 minutes later. If there is still no reply, the Dean of School/Head of Department must be informed. With the agreement of the Dean of School/Head of Department, two members of staff from the department may proceed to the location to check on the investigator's safety.

Mobile Telephones

All investigators who conduct off-campus interviews/activities should be in possession of a mobile telephone. Investigators should ensure that mobile telephones are fully charged and should be left switched on throughout the interview/activity. Investigators should bear in mind that mobile telephones cannot be depended upon entirely. Over reliance on mobile telephones must not substitute for proper training in inter-personal skills and personal safety techniques.

Personal Alarms

All researchers who conduct off-campus interviews/activities should be provided with a personal alarm. Investigators should carry the alarm in their pocket or hand (not in their bag or briefcase) so that it is easily accessible.

Identification Card

All investigators who conduct off-campus visits should carry an official identity card with photograph. It is good practice to invite participants to check the card.

Money

Investigators should always carry enough money for expected and unexpected expenses, including the use of taxis. However, it is sensible not to appear to be carrying a lot of money.

Other

In addition, investigators should always have access to a comprehensive map of the area and a source of light.

When off-campus interviews/activities are complete, it is likely to be helpful for investigators to reflect on their adherence to safety guidelines and raise any difficulties encountered during the project. Where necessary, individual experiences should be used to inform the design of future projects/interview protocols.

Any incidents that occur during the interviews/activities should be formally recorded and dealt with immediately. Serious incidents should be discussed with safety officers or professional associations. If violent or traumatic incidents have occurred which may have some impact on the physical and/or psychological well-being of investigators, these should be reported to the appropriate authorities (e.g. health and safety officer, occupational health, counsellors, police).

Formal arrangements should be in place for investigators to be accompanied by a colleague or project supervisor for subsequent interviews/activities if there have been any incidents giving cause for concern on the first occasion.

This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of considerations when planning research involving working alone off-campus. However, it is hoped that these guidelines will encourage researchers to adopt best practice and familiarise themselves with the relevant safety issues.

The following websites may also be of interest: