Epistemic Uncertainty and Ethical Dilemmas in Cross-cultural Research

Abstract

This study explores the epistemic and ethical complexities of examining migrants’ trust in public services through qualitative cultural inquiry. Trust is addressed not only as the central subject of investigation but also as a condition underpinning the credibility of research findings. Drawing on implicit findings, such as unexpectedly low participation and inconsistencies in participant narratives, which introduced layers of uncertainty in the findings. The study points to indications of self-censorship, social desirability, and cultural bias, which raise concerns about the trustworthiness of the findings. These complexities present researchers with interpretive dilemmas, where their roles in decision-making regarding the trustworthiness of narrative authenticity and participant autonomy may conflict with established ethical principles. Rather than merely dismissing these patterns as mere limitations, this analysis interprets inconsistencies in implicit findings as meaningful indicators of how trust is negotiated and constrained in sensitive institutional contexts. These insights reveal deeper uncertainty in how trust is measured, narrated, and understood, and raise ethical and methodological dilemmas for researchers. This study contributes to ongoing debates about the fragility of trust-related data in vulnerable populations. It highlights the need for critical reflection when interpreting implicit findings of meaning in qualitative research.