Abstract
In an international research climate of increasingly demanding ethical review, based on a biomedical model, reflection on best practices in social, behavioural and economic science research is necessary. It is widely believed that these sciences cannot be held to the same practical requirements as those for biomedical research, although the principles of ethical research are surely universal. This article considers the ethical requirements, principles and guidelines directing research in the social, behavioural and economic sciences, recognised in the national and international arena. By means of a systematic review of available best practices, it is anticipated that general guidelines for social, behavioural and economic science research could be developed and offered to researchers in these fields. Specific consideration is given to the unique characteristics of social, behavioural and economic science research.
Highlights
Social, behavioural and economic science research and ethicsThe opening quotations in this manuscript outline three pertinent characteristics of social, behavioural and economic science (SBES) research
This document is an attempt to explore the ethical issues faced by SBES researchers, to reconcile the seeming disparities mentioned, and to propose some basic guidelines towards better ethical research in the social, behavioural and economic sciences
In instances in which deception, covert observation or the non-disclosure of the purpose of the research is essential to the research being conducted, the researcher must satisfy a research ethics committee that: full disclosure of the purpose and/or methodology would threaten the scientific validity of the project; the extent of deception can be defined; alternative methodologies would not achieve the same outcomes; additional risk is not introduced for participants; disclosure will follow the initial deception; and the relationship between researchers, research and participants should not be negatively affected by the deception
Summary
The opening quotations in this manuscript outline three pertinent characteristics of social, behavioural (which covers most research under ‘management sciences’) and economic science (SBES) research. Ethical issues faced by SBES researchers, to reconcile the seeming disparities mentioned, and to propose some basic guidelines towards better ethical research in the social, behavioural and economic sciences. It is precisely the non-physical nature of SBES research that causes unease for those who have to review such research. SBES research is typically described as ‘minimal risk’ research (Sieber, Plattner & Rubin, 2002; Thompson et al, 2006) Such minimal risk may be defined as where ‘...the probability and magnitude of harm or discomfort anticipated in the proposed research are not greater, in and of themselves, than those ordinarily encountered in daily life’ (Code of Federal Regulations, 2005). The objective of this work is to provide SBES researchers with a resource for considering and addressing ethical issues in their own research
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