Abstract

Qualitative methods associated with historical sociology have enjoyed a revival. Yet, the ethical issues raised by these methods have not been adequately explored. This paper fills this gap through a short skit performed by a researcher, a qualitative research methods textbook, and the Tri-Council Policy. The researcher in the skit is conducting archival research on the historical involvement of women in Canadian labour struggles. By employing a scripted narrative, this paper challenges conventional writing on method and ethics. Through this innovative approach many of the ethical issues and tensions that socio-historical researchers encounter in their research are captured. Questions about the ethics of socio-historical archival research, as well sociological research more generally, are raised.