1. Ethical Considerations
Research Ethics
Ethical Considerations

2. What is ‘ethics’? Webster’s collegiate dictionary defines ethics as:
‘the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation’
Practical ethics
Deals with personal uncertainties and conflicts of opinion
What choice should I take?
Is this action fair?

3. What is ‘ethics’? Theoretical ethics Descriptive ethics
If this action is right, what does right really mean?
Descriptive ethics
Relate to moral beliefs

4. What is ‘ethics’?
Ethics insist upon the introduction of the individual human opinions and beliefs – therefore hard to define
‘most of our moral responses seem to be more a matter of intuition and feeling than of reasoning and logical deduction – we are not always the rational creatures we would like to be’ (Gross, 1996)

5. Research Methods and Ethics
We need to consider ethical issues throughout time of research
To conduct research projects in line with ethical principles
To follow ethical guidelines

6. Questionable practices in social research
Robson (1995) notes 10 questionable practices in social research:
Involving people without their knowledge or consent
Coercing them to participate
Withholding information about the true nature of the research
Otherwise deceiving the participant

7. Questionable practices in social research
5. Inducing participants to commit acts diminishing their self-esteem
6. Violating rights of self-determination (in studies seeking to promote individual change)
7. Exposing participant to physical or mental stress
8. Invading privacy

8. Questionable practices in social research
9. Withholding benefits from some participants (comparison groups)
10. Not treating participants fairly, or with respect

9. During data collection:
Ensure data collected accurately
Avoid exercising subjective selectivity in what is recorded
Consider confidentiality and anonymity
Subject to the requirement of legislation, ie. DPA, information obtained during an investigation is confidential (unless otherwise agreed in advance).

10. Data Collection
‘the ability to explore data or to seek explanations through qualitatively based methods means that there will be greater scope for ethical issues to arise in relation to this approach to research’ (Easterby-Smith et al, 1991)
‘embarrassment and even harm could result from reporting data that are clearly attributable to a particular individual’ (Cooper & Schindler, 1988; Robson, 1993)

11. Research Ethics Ethical concerns emerge as you plan your research
In context of research ‘ethics’ refers to the appropriateness of your behaviour in relation to the rights of those who become the subject of our work, or are affected by it. Wells (1994) defines ethics in terms of a code of behaviour appropriate to academics and the conduct of research.

12. Research Ethics
Ethical issues need to be considered throughout the time of research
Remain sensitive to the impact of your work
On those whom you approach
Those who provide access and cooperation
Those affected by your results

13. Code of ethics
Following a code of ethics will provide you with a statement of principles and procedures for the conduct of your research
You may be required to submit your research proposal to a research ethics committee
You may need ethical approval to carry out your research

14. Meeting Ethical Requirements
Students undertaking research within UK’s National Health Service have to meet requirements established by their local NHS Trust’s ethics committee
Any kind of research will inevitably lead to a range of ethical issues
Ethical Approval from the Ethics Committee may be required before the start of the research

15. Ethical issues that affect research
Privacy of possible and actual participants
Voluntary nature of participation and the right to withdraw partially or completely from the process
Consent and possible deception of participants
Maintenance of confidentiality of data provided by individuals or identifiable participants and their anonymity
Reactions of participants to the way in which you seek to collect data
Effects on participants of the way in which you use, analyse and report data
Behaviour and objectivity of the researcher

16. PRIVACY Need at all times to respect privacy Nettiquette
Developed to provide heading for ‘rules’ or guidelines about how to use the Internet for research
Contacting possible participants easier
Forms of covert observation impinging on rights of participants

17. SUMMARY
Access and ethics are critical aspects for the conduct of research
Using different types and levels of access need to be identified
Feasibility an important determinant of what you choose to research and how you undertake the research
Research ethics refer to appropriateness of your behaviour
Potential ethical issues should be recognised and considered from outset of research
Ethical concerns likely to occur at all stages of research
Ethical concerns associated with ‘power relationship’ between the researcher and those who you have access to
Use of Internet and to collect data may generate ethical concerns

18. Internet locations for codes of ethics