Contracts and member checks in qualitative research in human geography: reason for caution?

Contracts with, and member checks by, research participants are increasingl y recommended in qualitative research in human geography, However, differen ces in qualitatively researching 'the powerful', as opposed to researching 'down', mean that contracts and member checks may need to be approached wit h caution regarding the former. The possibility of the censorship of critiq ue by powerful research participants is exemplified in this article, and a number of more general dilemmas in qualitatively researching 'up' some choi ces which might help address possible difficulties in Finally are also disc ussed.. qualitatively researching the powerful are outlined.