14-06-2005

Adopting an ethical point of view

There are a wide range of issues which need to be covered when we consider our approach to research.

Perhaps the most important are that the rules that the research must do no harm to the person/people and that respect for the person is paramount.

There is also a fundamental dilemma - in the right to know (in regard to finding out new information) and the right for the individual to refuse or withdraw.  In some cases, this dilemma cannot be resolved.

There are research codes of practice in most professions and it may be useful to search for these on the websites of the appropriate association or organisation.

Typically, ethical approaches can be categorised according to whether they apply to children, adults or at risk groups (such as elderly people, people who are ill or from minority groups).

The issues can be listed as:

Codes of conduct

Consultation

Conduct of the work

Confidentiality

Dissemination

Responsibility

Codes of Conduct

These codes set out the undertakings which a researcher should make.  In the case of psychology, it is vital that no deception is created.  In the case of medicine, it is important that risks are explained in full.  Advice on the codes and when they apply can be provided by the Centre's Ethics Committee.

Consultation

It is vital that every attempt is made to involve in consultation, representative groups, stakeholders or other professionals.

Consent

Researchers make an undertaking to ensure that the participants in research are able to understand the purpose and conduct of the work.  In all cases, the individual must sign a form to signify that they agree to the conditions of the work.

Conduct of the work

The work must be carried out in a professional manner, efficiently, as quickly as possible.  Where payment is made, this should be clear to participants and it is essential that this is done appropriately.

Confidentiality

No person should be identifiable in the data collected, unless they have explicitly agreed to this.  The number of people and identity of those people should be explained to the participants before they proceed.  Data collected is covered by the Data Protection Act, the Freedom of Information Act and by the Privacy and Electronic Communications regulations.  Information on these can be gained from the Information Commissioner's web site.  Data must be stored in a way that separates the personal details of the participant from the study data.  See also the paper on anonymising the data (very important).

Dissemination

Information collected and analysed should be provided to the research community and to public bodies.  There should also be an explicit statement of aim in regard to the research which indicates how the participant group are to be informed of the results.

Responsibility

All data collected as part of a course, degree programme, or as part of a research project is within the responsibility of the Centre for Deaf Studies and is governed by the rules as set out here.  The issue of ownership of the data should be explored prior to conducting the research project.

In cases of collaboration, contracts covering intellectual property rights have to be drawn up - this collaboration has to be discussed with the University contracts office prior to beginning the work.