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This is like a church – You come with an offering: Reflections on compensation during research data collection.

This reflective article centres on the controversy surrounding the practice of compensating research participants, drawing on insights gained from data collection experiences in rural, non-affluent schools in Kenya. The practice of going to the field 'empty-handed' is explored, shedding light on par...

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Published in:Qualitative Research Vol. 26; no. 2; pp. 487 - 499
Main Authors: Karisa, Amani, Namatende-Sakwa, Lydia, Ngware, Moses
Format: research Journal Article
Published: Sage Publications Inc. Apr2026
Online Access:View this record in EBSCOhost
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      pub: Sage Publications Inc.
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        atl: This is like a church – You come with an offering: Reflections on compensation during research data collection.
      aug:
        au:
          Karisa, Amani
          Namatende-Sakwa, Lydia
          Ngware, Moses
        affil: Human Development Theme, African Population and Health Research Center, Nairobi, Kenya
      sug:
        subj:
          Data Collection
          Research Ethics
          Research Subjects
          Schools
          Rural Areas Kenya
          Kenya
          Low and Middle Income Countries
          Human
          Interviews
          Faculty Attitudes
          Power
          Budgets
      ab: This reflective article centres on the controversy surrounding the practice of compensating research participants, drawing on insights gained from data collection experiences in rural, non-affluent schools in Kenya. The practice of going to the field 'empty-handed' is explored, shedding light on participants' reactions. To comprehend the foundational issues embedded in our field experiences, we employ perspectives from decolonial and post-colonial theories, examining three questions: What knowledge systems shape research practice with regard to compensation? What power structures guide the research agenda and influence compensation? And, what 'being' determines the 'acceptable' research practice with regard to compensation? We argue that the knowledge systems, power structures and conceptualizations of 'being' shaping research practices regarding compensation during data collection are often external to the research participants. This leads to the marginalization of the participants' voices concerning compensation. The practice of compensation during data collection can strengthen connections with participants and enhance research integrity.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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