Abstract
BackgroundResearch in the field of Empirical Ethics (EE) uses a broad variety of empirical methodologies, such as surveys, interviews and observation, developed in disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and psychology. Whereas these empirical disciplines see themselves as purely descriptive, EE also aims at normative reflection. Currently there is literature about the quality of empirical research in ethics, but little or no reflection on specific methodological aspects that must be considered when conducting interdisciplinary empirical ethics. Furthermore, poor methodology in an EE study results in misleading ethical analyses, evaluations or recommendations. This not only deprives the study of scientific and social value, but also risks ethical misjudgement.DiscussionWhile empirical and normative-ethical research projects have quality criteria in their own right, we focus on the specific quality criteria for EE research. We develop a tentative list of quality criteria – a “road map” – tailored to interdisciplinary research in EE, to guide assessments of research quality. These quality criteria fall into the categories of primary research question, theoretical framework and methods, relevance, interdisciplinary research practice and research ethics and scientific ethos.SummaryEE research is an important and innovative development in bioethics. However, a lack of standards has led to concerns about and even rejection of EE by various scholars. Our suggested orientation list of criteria, presented in the form of reflective questions, cannot be considered definitive, but serves as a tool to provoke systematic reflection during the planning and composition of an EE research study. These criteria need to be tested in different EE research settings and further refined.
Highlights
Research in the field of Empirical Ethics (EE) uses a broad variety of empirical methodologies, such as surveys, interviews and observation, developed in disciplines such as sociology, anthropology, and psychology
While different application fields for quality criteria can be imagined, it should be noted that the criteria we present are only designed for guiding EE research
Do different standards exist in the various disciplines involved, and if so, have they been critically and respectfully discussed among the EE research team to find the most appropriate ethical standard? [43,44,45,46,47,48,49]
Summary
The road map An aerial view: spotting hills and valleys As is perhaps obvious, the first criteria that have to be considered are philosophical quality criteria, and social sciences quality criteria. (e.g. providing a new perspective), or criticizing established positions on a theoretical or applied level In other words, it needs to be clear what knowledge gains the research will provide in terms of the development, modification or application of theory. Scholars should try to demonstrate the societal/practical relevance of their EE research whenever feasible Examples of this kind of relevance could be improvements to ethical decision-making (e.g. an empirically tested model of ethical decision-making), raising awareness of ethical problems and challenges (e.g. showing that without regulated antimicrobial stewardship, there is a high risk of antibiotics increasingly losing their effectiveness), a shift in structures and decision-making processes (e.g. not asking relatives what they want, but what the patient would have wanted), or the establishment of minimum ethical standards in the institutions or professions related to the praxis under consideration (e.g. formulation and implementation of guidelines). Is there a mutually critical appraisal by normative and empirical sciences with regard to data gathering? (e.g. what constitutes “good” data for the EE study) [54]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
