Violence, Trauma, and Reflexivity: Methodological Issues and Challenges in Conducting Research in Mexico’s Conflict Zones

Conducting research on journalism and journalists in conflict zones extends beyond theoretical and methodological concerns, given the myriad of ethical, psychological, and security issues that are involved. In this chapter, using the framework of reflexivity, we discuss how we conducted fieldwork in violent contexts, and what precautions we took to protect both research participants and ourselves. From our ten years of fieldwork in the most dangerous regions of Mexico, we discuss the critical points entangled before, during, and after collecting data from participants whose lives are in constant danger. The chapter emphasizes the responsibilities that this kind of study implies, in particular, toward interviewees, fixers, and research assistants, whose lives might also be affected by the study. Reflexivity along the whole research process is a recommended tool to reduce the risk for all of those involved in these studies. The chapter attempts to provide researchers working in high-risk areas with a sense of what to expect and how they might plan for fieldwork.