Learning Diary Entry 4

Research Ethics

From what I have read and learnt, Ethics in research seems to me to play a huge part in the success and efficiency of the research that is being undertaken. Whether access to participants and the information that they give is easy or not, every researcher is expected to either make their own ethics clear or to follow the ethics and guidelines of the institution involved in order to eliminate (as much as possible) any doubts and concerns of the participant and to try and avoid any breeches of confidence.

So how can I make sure that I do my best to make my research as ethical as possible?

On page 57 of Bell’s book, I think there is an extremely helpful ‘ethics and integrity in research’ checklist which makes clear each pointer that must be considered when embarking on the challenge of producing ethical research.
The checklist helped me to identify several ethical issues that I must consider including:

· Being aware of research contracts, codes of practice and protocols
· Informed consent and its principles
· The involvement of Ethics committees
· Confidentiality and Anonymity
· Safeguarding confidentiality and anonymity if disseminating information by computer
· Ethical research in practice and the problems of ‘inside research’
· Codes of Ethical practice relating to intellectual ownership or property

Having already read through the chapter on ‘The Ethics and Integrity in Research’, from which there was a lot of information to take in, I found the checklist helped me compile all the information down into the most important points to give me a clearer understanding of each issue that I would need to address.

In addition to this, from looking at Rosemary’s blog entitled ‘Research Ethics’ and a few fellow students’ blogs, campus session 4 also prompted us to:

1. Realise the importance (when analysing a questionnaire) of taking a whole sentence so the meaning of it is clear and to avoid taking it out of context. (example on Rosemary’s slideshow). You must make sure that you are attributing fairly.

2. Be aware that there are different types of Ethics, two were discussed in detail: Pragmatic Ethics and Moral Ethics.

An example of Pragmatic Ethics is: ‘You must always drive on the left hand side of the road in England.’ Do something because you should, not because it is based on moral grounds.

An example of Moral Ethics is: ‘Adults must not have sexual relations with minors’ Doing something (or not) because it is morally correct.

3. Be aware of Ethical considerations

· Be ethical in the questions you set, don’t show bias.
· Be aware of deliberate fraud to produce desired results. DO NOT LIE
· You must state how you define confidentiality and anonymity to avoid misconceptions.
· Carefully consider what you are promising to participants, particularly when considering the previous point.
· Consider any risks to humans when conducting an experiment. If in doubt, would you be prepared to do it yourself, as this might have to be an option?
· Be aware of potentially sensitive subject matter, for example, eating disorders.


As a researcher it is also vitally important that you obtain consent from participants. This is usually a signed consent form that provides sufficient information on your proposed topic. Those under the age of 16 need careful consideration and attention.
As participants voluntarily agree to take part in your research, it is important to inform them that they have the right to withdraw at any time, even when the data has already been collected.
And last but not least, it is also important that the researcher very carefully considers the confidentiality and respect of the participant’s privacy. For example; consider how to avoid revealing participant identities to anyone, including those that live and work alongside the individual, how data that is gathered will be stored and what will be done with the data after it is finished with.

It seems Paula and Peter also touched on two other different topics. Paula discussed the 2500 word research proposal which I’ve read she has posted on her blog and so will hopefully get round to reading that next.

Peter informed the group about Survey Monkey, something I have never come across before. Being one of those people that if they so much as touch a computer it malfunctions, I haven’t yet had the confidence to try it out but I have watched the handy slideshow that Peter posted on his blog and will probably watch it again before having a crack at it.

Having read a lot about ethics, including colleagues blogs and the slide show Rosemary presented I feel I have a good understanding of the importance of conducting ethical research and what doing that will involve. I do however still feel intimidated by the amount of consideration that has to go into making my research as ethical as possible and have concerns that there will still be things that I miss, and that won’t be discovered until I have actually begun to collect the information from the participants. I understand, however, that even if I am as thorough as possible, not all problems that may crop up can be solved, so I think that you have to do your best in making a thorough checklist and hope that you have done enough so that the people who partake in your project stay enthusiastic and trusting towards your role as a worker/researcher and your research.