Preface and How to Use This Book
Southeast Asia is one of the most diverse and fast-changing regions in the world, and one of the most rewarding places to do research. It is also a place where good research depends on understanding local rules, institutions, languages, histories and relationships before the first interview is held or the first survey is sent. This book was written for students, early-career researchers, supervisors and research administrators who want to design and carry out ethical, legal, high-quality research in the region, whether they are based in Southeast Asia or elsewhere.
The book has four parts. Part I introduces the region and the idea of research standards. Part II explains the ethical, legal and administrative frameworks that govern research, including a country-by-country guide. Part III covers the practice of research: design, sources, methods, fieldwork, communities, digital research, safety and partnerships. Part IV covers analysis, writing, publishing, integrity and planning, and ends with checklists, templates and a glossary. Numbers in square brackets, such as [1], point to the numbered References at the end.
Important cautions. (1) Research rules change often. Permit systems, data protection laws, ethics procedures and political conditions can change within months. This book explains the kinds of requirements to expect and names examples of agencies and laws, but it is not legal advice and does not replace written confirmation from the relevant authorities, your host institution and your own ethics committee. (2) Country summaries are necessarily brief and generalize; conditions differ within countries (for example, by province, state or ethnic area) and among research fields. (3) Nothing here should be read as encouraging anyone to evade a legitimate legal requirement. If a rule seems unclear or unreasonable, seek advice from local colleagues and your institution rather than working around it.
Contents
Part I: Foundations
Why Research in Southeast Asia? Scope, Diversity and Purpose
Understanding the Region: History, Society, Politics and Culture
What Do We Mean by “Research Standards”? A Layered Model
Part II: Ethics, Law and Regulation
International and Regional Ethical Frameworks
A Country-by-Country Guide to Research Requirements
Permits, Visas, Affiliation and Agreements
Data Protection, Sensitive Topics and Legal Risk
Part III: Doing Research in Practice
Designing Research for Southeast Asian Contexts
Literature, Languages, Archives and Sources
Quantitative and Survey Research
Qualitative and Ethnographic Research
Working with Communities, Indigenous Peoples and Vulnerable Groups
Health, Science and Environmental Research
Digital and Online Research
Fieldwork Logistics, Safety and Well-being
Partnerships, Authorship, Capacity Building and Funding
Part IV: Analysis, Writing, Integrity and Planning
Analysis, Interpretation and Research Quality
Writing, Publishing and Sharing Results
Research Integrity and Misconduct
Putting It All Together: A Planning Guide
Appendices
Appendix A: Pre-Fieldwork Checklist
Appendix B: Outline for a Research Proposal and Ethics Application
Appendix C: Model Informed Consent Elements
Appendix D: Directory of Useful Organizations
Appendix E: Glossary
References