1. Research Ethics
•A code of ethics
•The range of permission needed to do
research
•Researchers’ responsibility
•Confidentiality of information given
•Feedback to participants and
•Participatory research
2. Code of ethics
• Ethics are standards of professional behaviour
• They guide us so that we act with integrity,
especially towards participants of research.
• They view technical competence as ethical
obligation
• Helps us ensure that we are regarded as
credible
• Code of ethics sets out principles of behaviour
that professionals should apply to their work
3. Five general ethical principles
• Professional competence
• Integrity
• Professional and scientific responsibility
• Respect for people’s rights, dignity and diversity
• Social responsibility
American Sociological Association (1999)
4. Professional standards
• Adherence to the highest possible technical standards
• Ensuring that you are competent in your research
• Correct representation of your own expertise
• No discrimination, exploitation and harassment
• Avoidance of conflict of interest or their appearance
• Protection of confidentiality
• Seeking informed consent
• Avoidance of plagiarism
5. Permission to research
• Tell participants the purpose of research
• Tell them what you will do with research
• Answer their questions about the research
• Ask permission to continue
• Respect their rights to refuse to participate
• Respect their rights to withdraw at any stage
6. Responsibility
• Do not get emotionally involved
• Do not break law
• Never invent information ( filling
questionnaire without interviewing)
• Do not misrepresent yourself or your role
7. Feedback
• Put summaries of findings before community, give to
leaders for discussion in their own meetings
• Arrange public meetings through community leaders
to talk of findings, answer questions and participate
in discussions
• Deliver summaries to house at sample sites
• Arrange interviews on local radio
• Write articles for newspapers columns
• Call meetings with interest groups and agencies to
present reports
• Hold workshops with key agency staff
