I was given appointment by one high level policy maker. Questionnaire was provided as per request. The policy maker saw the questionnaire and then gave me a date for interview (official record has been kept). On the date of appointment, the policy maker refused to give interview but he did not show any specific reason. He did not allow me to enter his room. It was he personal secretary who informed me that the policy maker does not have time to give interview. He did not give me another date. I called his PS three to four times but every time his PS told that the policy make is busy and may not give interview. As a researcher I can analyse this tactical refusal by a high level policy maker but is there any authority of such analysis?
I don't think there is anything to "analyse" here, other than simply reporting what happened, as you do in your statement.
Before an IDI, I would only describe the subject of a conversation. In my opinion, there is a little sense to speak to any high-level official, other than on general politics. The much better idea is to choose a talk wit a specialized bureaucrat or officer in the government. You still need an approval form the principal in the chain of command. In your described case, you should consider for yourself why exactly he may not want to talk to you. Did you mention any politically sensible question? Otherwise, move on and try to talk with someone with same level of expertise but without the official function in the government. Good luck with your research.
Dear Szymon, Yes, it was a politically sensitive question and this was part of the research. How does a politician like a Minister (who makes and changes laws in the parliament) think about pressing demands from NGOs and CSOs in the country? How is he, as a policymaker, find the performance of a judicial or quasi-judicial body? Two policymakers tactically refused my interview. I had to ask those questions from CSO members.
It may simply be the case that your interviewee is genuinely busy. If they weren't interested or willing to be part of your research they wouldn't have taken the time to look at the questionnaire and make space in the diary for you? Whether 'high level' or not, all research participants have schedules and priorities that can change their availability. We need to respect that while our research is no. 1 priority for us, sometimes participants have to cancel or withdraw and ethically they shouldn't have to explain themselves. If the participant hasn't indicated that they are withdrawing for "tactical" reasons is it ethical to assume or analyse their unavailability as such?
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