Citation: Hanson-DeFusco, J.; Smith, E.G., Jr.; Ngafuan, R.F.; Dunn, W.N. Conducting Ethical Field Research on Rape in West African Settings: Case Study of 2018 Liberian Field Survey. Healthcare 2023, 11, 3053. https:// doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11233053 Academic Editor: David Crompton Received: 30 October 2023 Revised: 20 November 2023 Accepted: 23 November 2023 Published: 28 November 2023 Copyright: © 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/ 4.0/). healthcare Article Conducting Ethical Field Research on Rape in West African Settings: Case Study of 2018 Liberian Field Survey Jessi Hanson-DeFusco 1, * , Ernest Garnak Smith, Jr. 2 , Richard Fotorma Ngafuan 2 and William N. Dunn 3 1 School of Economics, Political, and Policy Sciences (EPPS), University of Texas at Dallas, Richardson, TX 75248, USA 2 Department of Sociology, AME Zion University, Monrovia 1000, Liberia; esmithjr2@my.gcu.edu (E.G.S.J.); richardngafuan@live.com (R.F.N.) 3 Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15206, USA; dunn@pitt.edu * Correspondence: jessi.defusco@utdallas.edu; Tel.: +1-720-548-7241 Abstract: Background: Rape scholarship in West Africa is growing, but studies often utilize Western- ized approaches. A 2018 study using a randomized survey design assessing rape among Liberian girls incorporated modified survey design methods to improve ethical data collection relevant to the cultural and contextual contexts. This article presents the findings of a thorough review of rape scholarship and design methods. Methods: Based on a qualitative analysis of field notes by the research team, we present lessons learned and best practices identified in the planning, pilot-testing, and implementation phases of the 2018 Liberian study. Results: This study helps inform innova- tive design methods striving to (1) avoid using obtrusively graphic language or labels prevalent in westernized studies, (2) authentically collaborate with African experts to adapt strategies to be culturally appropriate and contextually relevant, and (3) create respectfully transparent interactions with respondents and communities. Extensive research preparation and inclusive regional expertise inform compassionate methodological techniques, yielding improved Afro-centric participant experi- ence, low participant attrition, and quality data use in policymaking. (4) Conclusions: This article offers innovative design methods to study rape, placing context, culture, and participants at the heart. Authentic collaboration with national-level experts is vital for conducting more reliable and ethical field research in the African region. Keywords: ethical research; Africa; sexual abuse; rape; contextuality; culturally sensitive; methodology; survey design; collaboration 1. Introduction As 2030 approaches, there is increased attention to supporting Sustainable Develop- ment Goal 5: Gender Equity, including the mitigation of violence, exploitation, and harmful practices against women and girls. Global health research indicates that the magnitude of gender-based sexual violence (GBSV) around the world is high, especially in low-/middle- income nations, many of which are in the Majority World (with 80% or higher poverty rates) [1–4]. Extreme poverty, crises, and biological threats like COVID-19 can exacerbate rates of GBSV [5–8]. In recent decades, research unraveling the issues of GBSV, including the rape of vulnerable populations, is on the rise. However, the majority of GBV and child sexual abuse (CSA) scholarship historically pertains to studies conducted in Minority World nations (with less than 20% poverty rates), predominantly in Europe and North America, with fewer studies conducted in Majority World nations [9–11]. More studies are being performed in Africa. Yet, contemporary international social movements like #MeToo have further inspired stakeholders to prioritize conducting more studies in the Majority World [12] to improve our understanding and methods of investigation of gender-based violence [13–16]. Healthcare 2023, 11, 3053. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11233053 https://www.mdpi.com/journal/healthcare