Ethical Issues Affecting Research

Ethical Issues Affecting Research

Ethical Considerations in Sociological Research

Ethics in research refer to the principles that guide the conduct of researchers when interacting with participants and using the collected data.

Informed consent indicates that participants are aware of the purpose, procedures, risks, benefits, and their rights in the research.
Participants should know they have the right to withdraw consent at any point without penalty.

Confidentiality and Anonymity

Researchers are obliged to protect the privacy of the participants by maintaining confidentiality.
When presenting the research findings, the researcher should ensure the participants’ anonymity, so their identities are not revealed.

Harm to Participants

The principle of “do no harm” should guide the researchers in their work.
It’s essential to ensure the study poses no physical or psychological harm to the participants.

Deception

Deception involves providing false information to participants about the research.
It’s rarely ethically acceptable, and must be justified by significant scientific or societal value which cannot be achieved by other means.

Researcher’s Value-Free Role

The research should be conducted from a value-free standpoint—that is, without the researcher’s personal biases influencing the methodology, interpretation, and reporting.

Ownership and Use of Data

Ownership of data is a complex issue but, in general terms, the information collected belongs to the participants.
Researchers must use the data solely for the purpose outlined in the informed consent process.

Vulnerable Groups

Special consideration is needed when conducting research involving vulnerable groups—such as children, those with cognitive impairment, or those unable to provide informed consent.

Ethical Review Process

Most formal research should undergo an ethical review process where an independent committee examines the research proposal to ensure it adheres to ethical standards.