Applying+Ethical+Principles

8/13/2019 Applying+Ethical+Principles

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Applying Ethics to Research


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An Ethical Research Project?


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An Ethical Research Project?


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Ethics and Research AimsWhat is the overall ethical justification of your

research?

To add to the sum of human knowledge?

To inform better policy-making?

To make companies more profitable?

To improve the efficiency of a manufacturing process?

To get a PhD? To identify ways of enabling long-term unemployed

back into the job market


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Social Science Research Principles Most social science research involves collecting data

directly or indirectly from human beings

Some principles: Should not involve physical or mental cruelty

Should respect others privacy

Should not interfere with the others freedom of action

Should be honest and open about the aims and methods

of the research so that respondents can give fullinformed consent

No harm should occur to others as a result of theresearch


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Responsibilities to the academic

community Telling the truth

Reporting findings accurately

Making results understandable to various groups ofstakeholders

Acknowledging the failings and limitations of a project

Acknowledging the contributions of others

Supervisor/supervisee relations (joint publications)

Responsibilities to funding bodies


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Ethical issues at different stages of

the research Before research begins

Data collection

Data storage and writing up findings Publication


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Before Research Begins Selection of Respondents

Is there pressure on respondents to take part?

Are they representative? Are respondents able to give informed consent?

Anticipating potential harm

The emotional impact of participation

Seeking formal permissions Proving you have gained consent


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During Data Gathering Interviews

Ethnography

Questionnaires and Surveys Covert data collection


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After Data CollectionWhen does data become the property of the researcher

rather than the respondent?

How much access/influence should respondents haveon the editing and presentation of data?

How will data be stored, when should it be destroyed?Who will have access to it?

Withdrawal of researcher and respondents from theresearch


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Presenting Findings How does one represent others ethically in texts?

The issue of reflexivity

Is fictionalisation ethical and to what extent? How does one continue to preserve confidentiality and

anonymity?

What are the impacts of the final text?


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Ethical Issues with Quantitative

Research The taint of positivism

Contributing to technocratic control and elite interests

Reductionism and objectification Lack of awareness of the effects of power or the

position of the researcher in relation to power

Lack of explanatory power (we know what but not

why) Individuals and the richness of the context are erased

and depersonalised


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Summary Ethical Issues are both philosophical (the values you

bring to your research) and practical (compliance withethical codes and professional expectations)

Consistency, awareness and plausible justification arethe key attributes of good research

There is no consensus about ethics and so no escape

from personal choice and responsibility Thinking about ethics is part of what it means to be a

researcher

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Applying+Ethical+Principles