However, Small was the first anthropologist to use pseudonyms to protect her informants, while also raising the issue of secrecy and ethnographic ethics in the same book. Small noted that she consulted the American Anthropological Association's Code of Ethics before developing her study, one critic noted that her "covert ethnography" was in direct opposition to the professional code that calls for openness with participants.
However, Small was the first anthropologist to use pseudonyms to safeguard her informants, while also addressing secrecy and ethnographic ethics in the same book. Small acknowledged consulting the American Anthropological Association's Code of Ethics before conducting her study; one critic observed that her "hidden ethnography" contradicted the professional code advocating openness with participants.