Educational Research The aims of the session To consider the ethical values that inform educational research To reflect on our own values To consider how ethics informs all stages of the research process ID: 548609
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Slide1
Ethics and Educational ResearchSlide2
The aims of the session
To consider the ethical values that inform educational research
To reflect on our own values
To consider how ethics informs all stages of the research processSlide3
A Definition
“
An ‘ethic’ is a moral principle or a code of
conduct which
… governs what people do. It is
concerned with
the way people act or behave. The
term ‘
ethics’ usually refers to the moral principles
, guiding
conduct, which are held by a group
or even
a profession (though there is no
logical reason
why individuals should not have their
own ethical
code
)” (
Wellington 2000: 54)Slide4
The impact of research
“
Fortunately, social research… does
not kill
or maim children. Yet
researchers may
upset and worry children
and parents
, embarrass them, or
betray them
, for example by making
false promises
. Researchers may
produce misleading
findings that result
in policies
that can damage
children’s lives
” (Alderson 2007:99
)
Generate as many examples as you can think of, of ways that educational research might impact negatively on participantsSlide5
ESRC: 6 key principles
Research
should be designed, reviewed and undertaken to ensure
integrity and quality
Research
staff and subjects must be
informed fully
about the purpose, methods and intended possible uses of the research, what their participation in the research entails and what risks, if any, are involved.
The
confidentiality
of information supplied by research subjects and the
anonymity
of respondents must be respected
Research
participants must participate in a
voluntary
way, free from any coercion
Harm
to research participants must be avoided
The
independence of research must be clear, and any conflicts of interest or partiality must be explicitSlide6
Being an ethical researcher
It’s about your choices
Ethics
in ER is a decision-making process, not
a rule-following
process. It requires commitment
to the
principles of ethical engagement and
a willingness
to consider the ethical implications
of your own research actions.
It’s an on-going process
Ethical
thinking is required at every stage of
the research process
, from research design,
through working
with participants, to analysing
and reporting
the data.Slide7
Informed consent
Participants
should be informed about:
t
he
aims of the research
what
time and commitment is required
who
will know the results
whether
there will be feedback
whether
confidentiality is
promised
t
hat participation is voluntary
t
hat they have the right to withdraw at any pointSlide8
Harm and Distress
British universities have begun
to require all new research staff to have a criminal
records check
a
project
involving children
, families or vulnerable populations,
should establish
a procedure
and identified contacts
to activate help and support in the event of a disclosure.
phrasing interview questions with care and sensitivity
Do you need to know, do you have any right to know?
Consider the impact of publicationSlide9
Privacy and Confidentiality
public confidentiality
not identifying participants or locale in reports/publications
social network confidentiality
not passing on information to family members
third-party breach of privacy
where a group/household member reveals personal information about somebody else
Limits to confidentiality
Within the limits of the law
The revelation that someone is in danger
If
the researcher
feels it is necessary to break confidentiality, the participant
will normally
be informed what action is being taken