RESEARCH METHOD COHEN ok

CONCLUSION 77
Box 2.10
Ethical principles for educational research (to be agreed before the research commences)
Responsibility to research
The researcher should be competent and aware of what is involved in conducting research.
The research must be conducted rigorously and with the correct procedures –avoidmisuseofproceduresatallstages.
Report procedures accurately and publicly (rigour).
Don’t jeopardize future research(ers).
Report clearly and make data availableforchecking.
Tell the truth: do not tell lies or falsify data, avoid being unfairly selective (e.g. to support a case), do not misrepresent
data.
Maintain the integrity and autonomy of the research, e.g. avoid censorship of, or interference with, the research by
sponsors or those who give permission for the research to be undertaken.
Chapter 2
Responsibility to participants and audience(s)
Gain fully informed consent where appropriate (usually in writing), in order to respect self-determination and
autonomy; provide information on all aspects of the research and its possible consequences.
Decide whether, and how, overt or covert research is required/justified.
Decide whether, and how, deception is required/justified; be honest or justify dishonesty.
Ensure non-maleficence (no harm, hurt or suffering to be caused to participants and those who might be affected by the
research); be humane.
Ensure beneficence (the research will bring benefit to the participants or will contribute to the welfare of participants).
Ensure that participants do not leave the research worseoffthanwhentheystartedit.
Respect people’s rights and dignity and interests,andberespectful:researchparticipants are subjects, not objects to be
exploited. Treat people as subjects, not objects.
Agree individuals’ rights to privacy.
Ensure participants have the right to withdraw at any time.
Inform participants who will have access to the data/report, i.e. the audiences of the research, how public it will be,
when it will become public, and how it will be disseminated; negotiate levels of release, i.e. whoseewhichpartsofthe
research.
Ensure anonymity/confidentiality/non-traceability; if these are not possible then tell participants in advance.
Indicate how anonymity will be addressed (e.g. by confidentiality, aggregation of data).
Inform participants how data will be collected and how files/questionnaires/audio data/video data/computer files will be
stored during the research and destroyed after use.
Ensure sensitivity to people (e.g. age, ethnicity, gender, culture,religion,language, socio-economic status).
Gain permission from all relevant parties (e.g. parents/guardians, school, principals etc.) for access.
Respect vulnerability (e.g. in interviewing children or those without power).
Agree respondent validation.
Agree ownership of the data (and when ownership passes from participants to researcher).
Allow time for review.
Avoid causing unnecessary offence. Thank the participants.
Ensure that participants and sponsors have the right to dissent or distance themselves fromtheresearch.
Demonstrate social responsibility and obligations.
Consider indemnification, liabilities and disclaimers.
Don’t abuse your position or power as a researcher.
Don’t use dangerous methods.