Chapter 4: Research Ethics

Taken from: Educational Research: Quantitative, Qualitative, and Mixed Approaches, 2010. R. B. Johnson & L. B. Christensen.  Los Angeles: Sage Publication

What are research ethics?

Ethics are an important part of research as research fits into the wider expectations of society. Cultures have varying philosophical cum religious conceptions and interpretations of what values are and the definition of right and wrong. Those values impact the way we carry out research. Nazi Germany provides us with an extreme example of how certain types of experiments were justified through philosophical perversions.     

Ethics

The principles and guidelines that help uphold the things we value

Deontological approach

An ethical approach that says ethical issues must be judged on the basis of some ethical code

Ethical scepticism

An ethical approach that says concrete and inviolate moral codes cannot be formulated

Utilitarianism

An ethical approach that says judgments of the ethics of a study depend on the consequences the study has for the research participants and the benefits that might arise from the study

Costs Resulting from the study vs. Benefits Resulting from the study

Costs = harm to participants / expense of the study / time required of participants and researchers

Benefits = Benefit to participants / advancement of knowledge / benefit to society / improvement of educational system

Ethical Concerns

Relationship between society and science

Research ethics

A set of principles to guide and assist researcher in conducting ethical studies

Professional Issues

Fraudulent activity 

Fabrication or alteration of results

Partial publication

Publishing several articles from the data collected in one large study

Duplicate publication

Publishing the same data and results in more than one journal or publication

Treatment of research participants

The most crucial aspect of ethics is the right and proper treatment of participants ensuring that we protect their physical, mental and emotional integrity.

Ethical guidelines for research with humans

1) You have to get the informed consent of the participant

2) Any deception must be justified by the study’s scientific, educational or applied value

3) The research participants must know that they are free to withdraw from the study at any time without prejudice.

4) The research participants are protected from physical and mental discomfort, harm and danger that may arise from the research procedures.

5) The confidentiality or anonymity of the participants and the data must be protected.

  

1) Informed consent 

Informed consent

Agreeing to participate in a study after being informed of its purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, alternative procedures and limits of confidentiality

2) Informed consent and minors as research participants

Assent

Agreeing to participate after being informed of all the features of the study that could affect the participant’s willingness to participate

3) Passive versus Active consent

Active consent

A process whereby consent is provided by signing a consent form

Passive consent

A process whereby consent is given by not returning the form

4)Deception

Deception

Misleading or withholding information from the research participant

Debriefing

A post-study interview in which all aspects of the study are revealed any reasons for deception are explained and any questions the participant of the study has about the study are answered

Dehoaxing

Informing the research participants of any deception that was used and the reasons for its use

Desensitizing  

Helping the participants deal with and eliminate any stress or other undesirable feelings that the study might have created

5) Freedom to withdraw

6) Protection from physical and mental harm

7) Confidentiality and anonymity

Institutional Review Board

Most universities have a similar organism in charge of reviewing the ethical nature of research. Not all types of research require submission especially if it relates to a field where the physical integrity of a person is unlikely to be harmed. Non-submission does not of course entail the non-requirement of the researcher to act in an ethical way.