This article approaches the use of qualitative methods in health research. Following the concept of "somatic modes of attention" and examples of previous ethnographic research, I discuss the dichotomies theory-methodology, subject-object, rationale-techniques to suggest that they may be responsible for what has been pointed out as important constraints of qualitative research: (1) the problem of choosing the right research techniques; (2) the dilemma of the number of cases to be studied; (3) the role of the context; and (4) data analysis/interpretation procedures. I argue that these separations can affect research ethics. Ethics needs to be incorporated in methodology as a whole and inform the choice of techniques, sampling procedures, the context and data analysis/interpretation. Finally, this paper points out that the specificity of qualitative research needs to be acknowledged by Research Ethics Committees and suggests they should look, more than anything, at each project's methodological adequacy together with ethical procedures.
Qualitative Methods in Health Research; Somatic Modes of Attention; Ethics; Research Ethics Committees