Ethics

Ethics

1. HILL ET AL 1995 'AN ETHICAL DILEMMA... is a situation where there is no 'right' answer, 'only a decision thoughtfully made and perhaps 'more right' than the alternatives'.

   • PUNCH 1986 argues fundamentally that ethical dilemmas are split between the protection of the subject versus the freedom to conduct a research and publish it findings.
   • LAINE 2000 suggest fieldwork poses many ethical dilemmas to be experienced due to the immediacy/personal involvement that draws on the intuition, empathy, feelings and emotions.

2. Ethics is a contingent on social political ethics of that time. Social sciences focus on those vulnerable in articulating which social groups in society to study. Must consider the responsibilities to those involved e.g. participants and the researcher themselves.

   • ROBSON 1993 identified 10 ethical problems encountered during practical research. 1. Knowledge of consent. 2. Invading privacy. 3.Withholding info of the true nature of the research (deception).

3. ETHICAL CODES/ GUIDELINES = useful whilst conducting research as it is a standarised framework which is put together as a moral compass by experienced researchers/board BUT it not prepare the researcher for ever eventuality. Limits the researcher approaching their topic of choice, restriciting to a certain extent the relevant info gained.

   • DATA PROTECTION ACT 1998- mere guidelines, data is destroyed after a period of time held, unable to retrieve/refer back to after this point. Only collect the necessary info, thus protecting the participants from harms.
   • BRITISH SOCIETY OF CRIMINOLOGY stated the general principles are to ensure research is undertaken to the highest possible methodological standard/ quality in order to maximize knowldge generated about society.

4. ETHICAL CODE OF CONDUCT 2009 - CONSENT- research based studies rely on informed/voluntary consent of those involved except in circumstances where the topic is more important. Is this a valid reason?

   • Responsibilities of the researcher are to...explain the PURPOSE, WHO is part-taking and financing the research, WHY it is happening and HOW the finding will be dissemanted, all in meaningful term to the participants(informed consent based).
     • Moral responsibility towards those subjected groups to not disrespect/ discredit marginalized groups opposed to those powerful ones (MALINOWSKI tribal study)
   • PROBLEMS... CONSENT believed to be eventually BROKEN out of the need to achieve a valid representative of reality. PUNCH 1986 Some groups REFUSE e.g. high status/ powerful if they know the meaning behind the study. REDHAM AND GAVIN 2006 online studies such an the use of 'MESSAGE BOARDS' attached to a PUBLIC DOMAIN aspect therefore is consent required? 'Blogs' classed as public domain also. 'PROCESSED CONSENT' needed?, would it affect the validity of the research? IMPRACTICAL to gain for a large group of subjects i.e. football/ online groups. Effectively ABOLISHES COVERT/PO- undermines the oppertunity to study people in their natural settings, behaviours not provide a true reflection.
     • FERRELL 1996 'crimes of style'- broke the law by directly participating in illegal activities such as trespass, marijuana smoking, witnessed under-aged drinking etc- knowledge and understanding enriched by this involvement so justified?
   • Agreements should be recognised as a legal requirement in order to disclose info obtained during the course of the research which pertains to serious criminal offences committed or individuals at risk.

5. CONFIDENTALITIY- Online research= Anonymity element, publishing research concerning sensitive topics e.g. pro aneroxia websites or domestic abuse are overcome with the use of a PSEUDONYMS as it avoids identity exposure. Not guarentered, a negoiation between researcher and the participant.

   • Digital technology can generate large quantities of data, therefore poses a threat to the privacy of the population, e.g. online forums considered to be 'GOLDMINES' to harvest data.
   • Extract fragments of a post used by the researcher maybe weaved together to form a narrative account- avoids potential exposure of those involved.

6. DECEPTION crux of the arguement is whether passive or active the researcher gathers the information not obtainable by other means but one that deceives the subjects.

   • Everyone thought of as 'Social actors', employ the functioning nature of lies, blackmail or fraud in dealing with each other. Does this argument justify the use of deception were necessary to achieve a higher objection of the scientific truth? Deceitful aspects are found within daily interactions
     • Practical aspect- not tell subjects the truth of the study so not to change 'natural' behaviours. BLUMER 1982 Researchers need to use a 'front', particularly in covert research, to protect their role. DOUGLAS stated this is drawn upon the exhibitions of mundame life.
       • BOK 1978 some lieing is acceptable but mainly discredits the researcher.
       • GANS 1962 must be dishonest to gain HONEST DATA 'lie through teeth' i.e. unethical to misrepresent their identity to gain entry into a private domain which is otherwise denied.
       • No clear guidance as to where informed consent start/ ends= element of deception.
     • Found in occupations such as the police or journalism, why any different for the social sciences.
   • BENEFITS - outweigh the harms if minimized via conventional confidentiality of identity followed. Generates valuable research on the social culture of that time, historical documentation believed to be a true picture. Some institutions deserve to be deceived in order to gain data i.e. panorarma, perfect example, uncovered nursing home scandel= for the greater good?