ethical considerations in social research

“Ethical practice is not an add-on to social research but lies at its very heart. Ethical conduct provides the basis which legitimates the whole enterprise; it permeates research design and project organisation; and extends to minute and momentary decisions…” (Payne and Payne 2004:66).

Ethical issues pertain to all research methods, when ethical issues are considered there is much emphasis often placed on infamous extreme cases, such as; the Tuskegee study and research by Milgram and Humphreys. In these cases, ethical issues were violated to some extreme, however, some argue that the results could not have been collected had the ethical considerations been changed. The ethical guidelines that are set out for those wanting to conduct social research are put in place by the British Sociological Association and the Economic and Social Research Council. The purpose of the guidelines are to retain self-respect and self-image, maintain one’s public reputation and respects of others, protect one’s privacy and personal relationships, amongst other guidelines.

The various ethical issues that are to be considered when using participants within a research study. Kumar (2011) highlights five major considerations; collecting information, seeking consent, providing incentives, seeking sensitive information and the possibility of causing harm to participants. “Provided any piece of research is likely to help society directly or indirectly, it is acceptable to ask questions, if you first obtain the respondents’ informed consent”. (244). By collecting informed consent, the participant is agreeing that any information they provide to the researcher can be used in their findings and final report of the study. “Harm includes; “not only hazardous medical experiments but also any social research that might involve such things as discomfort, anxiety, harassment, invasion of privacy, or demeaning or dehumanising procedures”” (Bailey (1975:384) cited in Kumar 2011:245). If there is a chance of harm coming to the participants, research usually will not get the permission needed to continue, therefore, it is vital for researchers to ensure that no harm will come to their participants.

 

Reference list

 

Kumar, R. (2011) Research Methodology A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners [3^rd Ed.] London: SAGE Publications Ltd.

 

Payne, G. Payne, J. (2004) Key Concepts in Social Research London: SAGE Publications Ltd.