The ethics of engagement: Research relationships in an applied linguistics partnership with a professional medical body.

This article examines the ethical complexities of interprofessional research relationships in applied linguistics, focusing on a case study involving a partnership between sociolinguistic researchers and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in the UK. The study explores challenges in conducting research "with" multiple professional groups—such as examiners, key informants, and GP trainees—within a politically sensitive context of differential attainment in a licensing exam for general practitioners. It highlights how researchers navigate shifting insider–outsider roles, power dynamics, and conflicting loyalties while engaging collaboratively in data collection, analysis, and the co-development of educational materials. The paper argues that ethical considerations in such interprofessional research extend beyond traditional participant protection frameworks to include ongoing negotiation of relationships and responsibilities, which are crucial for both ethical conduct and the quality of applied linguistic research.