Ethics

Ethics

1. Informed consent

   • implies a responsibility to explain in detail'
     • what the research is about?
     • Who is undertaking it and financing it?
     • Why it is be undertaken
     • what is it going to be used for?
   • might not get informed consent if;
     • no harm will befall the research subject
     • The results outweigh the subjects right to autonomy
     • same results could not occur if consent was given
   • You might not be able to get conformed consent
     • When it is in a public place
     • when specfic methods that are used may effect the researcher or the results

2. Confidentiality, Anonymity and Privacy

   • We ensure confidentiality by using pseudonyms/codes
     • and by restricting access to data
   • It should be made clear that sometimes confidentiality maybe overridden
     • e.g. when the researcher has a legal or moral duty
   • is confidentiality important?
     • Anonymity and privacy of participants should be respected
     • personal info should be kept confidential
     • people have a right to privacy

3. Harm to subjects and researchers

   • Aim is to ensure no harm comes to any participants or researchers
     • Physical, mental or otherwise
       • during the research and afterwards
     • Humphreys, Zimbardo, milgram, Rosenthan

4. Deceit/ lying

   • lying happens when research is presented as something else
   • deception often occurs in research- Rosenhan
   • deception is used so that participants act as naturally as possible
   • Its not a good thing because
     • not a nice thing to do
     • do social scientists want to be seen as deceitful

5. Sensitive subjects

   • Is it appropriate to research sensitive subjects
     • such as death, emotion, pregnancy, abortion, religion, politics
   • must provide safeguards

6. Post research ethics

   • responsibilities to funders and participants
   • letting time pass before publishing results
   • challenges of media involvement

7. important case is Humphreys