Access, a zone of comprehension, and intrusion

To comprehend some meanings of a life, one must get close to that life. But if one gets too close, one risks violating its privacy. Personalistic researchers in education, social service, and related fields take that risk. Historians, biographers, social workers, and many others do too. These researchers negotiate access to the lives they study. They feel the ethical responsibility to avoid exposé and sometimes even to refrain from coming to know the most personal and private information. Restraint is greatly based on the researcher's personality and respect for others. But also it is a professional matter. The codes of ethics and honored practices of researchers call for restraint.