Research and evaluation ethics

Abstract

Every researcher will encounter ethical dilemmas as social research has the capacity to do great harm, to individuals, groups, and society as a whole, if it is unethically managed. This chapter, which is new to this third edition, explores research and evaluation ethics. It begins with an overview of ethics, then explains the current system of research ethics management including the process of obtaining ethical approval from research ethics committees. Emphasis is given to the importance of researchers thinking and acting ethically throughout the research process. The chapter gives an overview of ethics considerations for each stage of a research project from conception to dissemination of results. Researcher wellbeing is another important ethical consideration and one that is often neglected by researchers and ethics committees alike. Factors affecting researcher wellbeing are outlined along with strategies for managing and reducing stress. The chapter concludes with an update of the case studies followed by exercises, discussion questions and a debate topic.