ABSTRACT
The chapters in the collection clearly provide critical, coherent, contemporary commentary on the purpose, potential and challenges associated with conducting research with marginalised groups. By combining a mix of intellectually rigorous, accessible and controversial topics, the collection presents a distinctive and engaging portfolio of insights, and ultimately broadens the reader’s understanding of the issues associated with researching groups who are ‘hard to reach’. One of the key messages to emerge from the book is that the research participant should never be viewed as a means to an end, but rather as an end in him/herself-and this is particularly pertinent when considering the context of the most marginalised (Deakin and Spencer, 2011). In sum, the collection provides us with important insights into issues of ethics, access and voice, positionality, and refl exivity as well as broadening our theoretical and practical understanding of what is expected of us when conducting research with marginalised groups.
