KATHMANDU: The Central Department of Conflict, Peace and Development Studies (CDCPDS) at Tribhuvan University organized a specialized research seminar for MPhil and PhD scholars, focusing on ethical, philosophical, and methodological dimensions of qualitative research.

The seminar, titled “Researching the Sensitive: Philosophical Foundations, Ethical Responsibilities, and Methodological Approaches in Qualitative Research,” featured the presentation of multiple papers addressing issues of research ethics, data collection, and interpretive approaches in sensitive social contexts.

Among the presenters, Hira Lal Joshi discussed “Between Knowing and Interpreting: Ethical Reflexivity and Narrative Analysis,” while Puran Chandra Bhatta examined “Rendering the Invisible Visible: Ethical Challenges in Researching National Loyalty among Borderland Communities.”

Shiva Dutta Bhandari presented on ethical dilemmas encountered by male researchers studying religious sensitivities in pluralistic societies, and Man Bahadur Shahi addressed methodological and ethical frameworks for insider research in similar contexts. Other presentations included Narayan Prasad Sharma Duwadi’s work on post-disaster recovery governance in Nepal and Shriman Sharma’s analysis of media framing and transitional justice discourse.

Addressing the opening session of the seminar, Prof. Dr. Dubinanda Dhakal, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, noted the high relevance of the seminar in orienting MPhil and PhD research scholars. He also disclosed that new provisions are being introduced in the admission process starting next year to further upgrade the quality of MPhil and doctoral programs.