Activity
Read the account of a science teacher’s MEd project
Identify the main ethical issues
How did you approach the issue?
What does the literature say? Ethics can be a difficult issue
Ethical issues will emerge over time
Lists of principles and guidelines are not enough
BUT………. Lack of coherence How can you be sure you have thought of
everything? Institutional requirements can be onerous
Seedhouse’s Ethical Grid Provides a way of thinking about a situation
that is structured, coherent and recoverable.
Based on Moral Theory
Consists of layers
Designed to be used in Healthcare – but has potential as a tool to be used beyond that.
External Considerations
Consequential Layer
Duties + Motives
Individuals
Deontological layer
CoreRationale
Consequential layer
External Considerations
An alternative view of the grid…………….
External Considerations Codes of practice Risks The law Use of resources Effectiveness and
efficiency of action The degree of
certainty of the evidence on which action is taken
Consequentialist LayerConsequences of the
research for: oneself the individual a particular group of
individuals society
Duties + Motives (Intentions)
Tell the truth
Minimise harm
Keep promises
Do most positive good
Concern for Individuals
Respect the needs of individuals
Respect Autonomy Respect persons
equally Create autonomy? The Ethic of Trust?
FlindersUtilitarian Deontologica
lRelational Ecological
Recruitment
informedconsent
reciprocity collaboration
cultural sensitivity
Fieldwork avoidance of harm
avoidance of wrong
avoidance of imposition
avoidance of detachment
Reporting confidentiality
fairness confirmation
responsive communication
A quote from Seedhouse…… ‘The Ethical Grid is a tool, and nothing more
than that. Like a hammer or screwdriver used competently, it can make certain tasks easier, but it cannot direct the tasks, nor can it help decide which tasks are the most important. The Grid can enhance deliberation- it can throw light into unseen corners and can suggest new avenues of thought – but it is not a substitute for personal judgement’ (p209)
Advantages Provides structure and coherence
in a field in which it is lacking Based on Moral theory Can be used over time at different
points in the research Seems to embrace many of the
ideas described elsewhere
Reference Stutchbury, Kris and Fox,
Alison(2009) 'Ethics in educational research: introducing a methodological tool for effective ethical analysis', Cambridge Journal of Education, 39: 4, 489 — 504
Recommended
