The Ethics of Financial Incentivization for Health Research Participation Among Sex Workers in a Canadian Context

Qual Health Res. 2022 May;32(6):942-955. doi: 10.1177/10497323221089877. Epub 2022 Mar 29.

Abstract

Research incentivization with sex workers is common, yet limited guidance exists for ethical incentives practice. We undertook a critical qualitative inquiry into how researchers (n = 17), community services staff (n = 17), and sex workers participating in research (n = 53) perceive incentives in a Canadian context. We employed an interpretive thematic approach informed by critical perspectives of relational autonomy for analysis. Four themes illustrate how (un)ethical use of incentives is situated in transactional micro-economies among groups experiencing severe marginalization: i) transactional research economy, ii) incentive type: assumptions and effects, iii) incentive amount: too much too little?, and iv) resistance, trauma, and research-related harm. Paternalistic assumptions about capacities of sex workers to act in their own best interests conflicted with participants' rights and abilities for self-determination; with researchers maintaining ultimate decision-making authority. Power differentials create conditions of harm. Safe, equitable approaches concerning research incentive use must redress relations of power that perpetuate oppression.

Keywords: financial incentives; relational ethics; research ethics; sex work.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Canada
  • Humans
  • Motivation
  • Personal Autonomy
  • Qualitative Research
  • Sex Workers*

Grants and funding