Whilst addressing the process of securing participant consent for my study that investigates language use in health discussion fora (anxiety disorders) the following concept became apparent: I suggest that the importance of utilising forum moderators’ knowledge and experience should not be underestimated; their understandings of group expectancies and constraints around group norms, constituted in the gatekeeper’s role, help to facilitate a richer and more contextually informed research ethics, which ultimately best serves the participants within a researcher’s care. Karen Davies PhD student - Lancaster University