Abstract While the movement toward open science (OS) has gained substantial traction among quantitative inquiries, qualitative research, particularly in second language (L2) contexts, remains underrepresented. L2 qualitative research is characterized by complex, multimodal, multilayered, and contextually situated linguistic and non-linguistic data; yet existing openness debates underplay the ethical and relational dimensions essential to this inquiry. In response, this paper introduces guidelines on conducting L2 ethical and accountable research in qualitative contexts (CLEAR-Qual), the first practitioner-informed, phase-by-phase framework designed to operationalize openness for L2 qualitative work as an ethical, reflexive, and collaborative stance rather than an all-or-nothing technical fix. Developed using the Delphi method, CLEAR-Qual distinguishes openness on research (i.e., outward reporting) from openness with research (i.e., processual, participant-centered practices) and aligns OS principles with the contextual, emergent nature of qualitative second language research. The framework articulates core and advisory practices across five phases (pre-study, data collection, analysis, reporting, and post-study). Key recommendations include preregistration, tiered consent acquisition, rigorous anonymization, reflexive documentation, knowledge co-creation, secure data management, and ethical data-use agreements for secondary access. By situating accountability at the center of the research process, CLEAR-Qual provides actionable guidelines for researchers, reviewers, and editors committed to transparent, ethically robust qualitative research in L2 contexts.
Shahiwala et al. (Mon,) studied this question.