It provides concrete information on research ethics while collecting data.

1. CHAPTER 14
Considering Ethical Issues
in Data Collection
Dr.Gholam M.Payman
Research Method
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2. Contents
Ethics: the concept
Ethical issues to consider concerning research participants
Ethical issues to consider relating to the researcher
Ethical issues to consider regarding the sponsoring organization
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3. Objective
The objectives of the session are:
To understand the concept of research ethics;
To learn the ethical issues concerning research participants;
To discern ethical issues relating to the researcher; and
To understand ethical issues regarding the sponsoring organization.
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4. Keywords
Bias,code of conduct,confidentiality,deprivation of
treatment,ethos,harm,informed consent,principles of
conduct,research participants,sensitive information,
sponsoring organizations,stakeholders,subjectivity
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5. Ethics in Professions
Professions follow codes of ethics that evolve with societal
values and expectations.
Some professions have strict ethical guidelines with
enforcement mechanisms.
Research ethics are distinct in fields like medicine, business,
law, psychology, and education.
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6. Ethics: the concept
Ethics refers to principles of conduct considered correct
within a profession.
Key questions in ethics:
What are ethical principles?
Who determines them?
Are they universal or subject to change?
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7. Ethics & Professional Change
Ethical codes evolve as professions adapt to societal and technological
changes.
What was ethical in the past may not be ethical today.
Ethics are determined by professional bodies and government
organizations.
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8. Ethics in Research
Research ethics prevent:
Harm to individuals
Breach of confidentiality
Improper use of information
Bias in findings
Social science research follows general ethical principles applicable across
disciplines.
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9. ClassActivity
Ethics in Professions –Activity: Ethical Dilemmas in Professions
Divide students into small groups.
Give each group a real-world ethical dilemma from different professions
(e.g., a doctor facing a conflict of interest, a journalist dealing with fake
news, a businessperson handling insider trading).
Each group discusses the case and presents their views on how ethical
guidelines should be applied.
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10. Stakeholders in research
Ethical Considerations in Research:
Research involves multiple stakeholders who must be considered
ethically.
Key stakeholders:
• Research Participants
• Researchers
• Funding Bodies
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11. Research Participants
Who are they?
Individuals, groups, or communities providing information.
Patients in medical studies, consumers in marketing, students in education,
etc.
Ethical concerns:
Informed consent
Privacy & confidentiality
No harm to participants 03/23/2025
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12. Researchers
Who are they?
Those conducting studies to expand knowledge while following ethical
guidelines.
 Responsibilities:
Maintain integrity & objectivity
Ensure data accuracy
Avoid bias & misconduct
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13. Funding Bodies
Who funds research?
Businesses, government agencies, institutions, NGOs.
Ethical concerns:
Preventing bias in findings
Ensuring transparency in funding
Avoiding conflicts of interest
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14. Ensuring Ethical Research
Follow ethical codes for fairness & accuracy
Protect all stakeholders from harm
Maintain transparency & accountability
Uphold professional integrity in all research activities
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15. Ethical issues to consider concerning research participants
There are many ethical issues to consider in relation to the
participants of a research activity.
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16. Collecting Information in Research
Why should respondents share information?
 Research aims to improve conditions, so asking questions is justified if the research benefits
society.
Ethical Considerations:
 Always obtain informed consent before asking questions.
 Ensure the research is relevant and useful to avoid wasting respondents' time.
Key Point:
 The researcher's responsibility is to convince others of the research's value and relevance to
society.
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17. Seeking Consent in Research
Ethical Requirement:
Collecting information without participants' knowledge and consent is unethical.
Informed consent is crucial in both medical and social research.
What Informed Consent Entails:
Participants must be informed about the purpose, type of information, and potential
effects of the research.
Consent should be voluntary, without pressure.
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18. Seeking Consent in Research
Criteria forValid Consent (Schinke & Gilchrist, 1993):
Participants must be competent to consent.
Sufficient information must be provided.
Consent must be voluntary and uncoerced.
Competency Considerations:
Certain groups (e.g., children, those with mental impairments, or in crisis) may not
be competent to give consent.
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19. Ethics of Providing Incentives to Respondents
Debate on Incentives:
Some researchers believe offering incentives is ethical as it compensates for participants'
time.
Others argue it is unethical, as it may influence responses.
Author's Opinion:
Most participants engage in studies due to their importance, not for incentives.
Offering a small gift after data collection as a token of appreciation is acceptable.
Offering a gift before data collection is considered unethical.
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20. Ethical Dilemma of Sensitive Information
Sensitive Information:
Questions on sexual behavior, drug use, marital status, income, and age can be intrusive
and considered an invasion of privacy.
Researcher's Dilemma:
Should researchers ask sensitive questions that might upset or embarrass respondents but
are necessary for advancing knowledge?
Author's Opinion:
It is not unethical to ask sensitive questions if:
Respondents are informed about the type of information being requested.
They are given sufficient time to decide whether to participate, without undue pressure or inducements.
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21. The possibility of causing harm to participants
 Research Ethics: Minimizing Harm to Participants
 Types of Harm:
Harm can include discomfort, anxiety, harassment, invasion of privacy, or dehumanizing procedures.
 Minimizing Risk:
Researchers must assess if participant involvement may cause harm.
 Minimal Risk:
The risk of harm should be no greater than what is typically encountered in daily life.
 Ethical Considerations:
It is unethical to cause anxiety or harassment in the data collection process.
Steps should be taken to prevent any harm, discomfort, or anxiety to participants. 03/23/2025
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22. Maintaining confidentiality
 Ethical Responsibility:
Sharing information about a respondent for non-research purposes is unethical.
Respondent information must be kept anonymous to protect confidentiality.
Situations Requiring
 Caution:
In some cases, identifying the study population may be necessary to contextualize findings.
If multiple visits to respondents are needed, identification is required until the study is complete.
 Key Principle:
Never disclose identifying information without permission.
Ensure confidentiality is maintained, especially when working with third parties.
Negligence in protecting confidentiality is unethical. 03/23/2025
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23. Ethical issues to consider relating to the researcher
Avoiding Bias in Research
Difference Between Bias and Subjectivity:
Subjectivity relates to personal background, training, and perspectives.
Bias is a deliberate attempt to distort or manipulate findings, either by hiding information
or exaggerating it.
Ethical Consideration:
Introducing bias into research is unethical.
Researchers must control their bias to maintain integrity in their work.
Unethical behavior arises from bias, not subjectivity.
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24. Ethics of Provision or deprivation of a treatment
 Control Group Studies:
Is it ethical to provide an unproven treatment to a population?
Depriving the control group of treatment may hinder proving its effectiveness.
Ethical concerns arise when depriving individuals of a treatment that could potentially benefit them.
 Key Consideration:
Deprivation of treatment in control groups is generally accepted to establish treatment
effectiveness, but some argue it may still be unethical.
No simple answers to ethical dilemmas in research.
Ensuring informed consent and minimum risk can help address concerns.
Frank discussion of participation implications can assist in resolving ethical issues.
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25. Using inappropriate research methodology
Researchers must use appropriate methods within their knowledge base.
Unethical practices include:
Deliberately using inappropriate methods.
Selecting biased samples.
Using invalid instruments.
Drawing wrong conclusions.
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26. Incorrect reporting
Reporting findings to serve personal or external interests is unethical.
Ethical research requires:
Accurate and unbiased reporting.
Presenting findings as they are, without distortion.
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27. Inappropriate use of the information
Using information to harm respondents, directly or indirectly, is unethical.
Researchers must consider how information will affect the study population.
Example:
In a study on organizational restructuring, information could benefit the organization
but harm individuals.
Ethical practice:
Inform respondents about the potential use of their data.
Let participants decide whether to participate based on this understanding.
Identifying participants in such cases is unethical. 03/23/2025
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28. Ethical issues regarding the sponsoring organization
Restrictions by Sponsors:
Research is often funded by organizations with specific purposes (e.g., evaluating
programs, studying policy impacts).
Sponsoring organizations may impose direct or indirect controls on the
methodology, publication, or findings.
Ethical Concerns:
Imposing restrictions on research findings to serve vested interests is unethical.
It compromises the accuracy and integrity of the research process.
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29. The Misuse of Information
Usage of Research by Sponsors:
Sponsoring bodies may use research to justify management decisions or
agendas.
Ethical Concerns:
Unethical to let research be used to support management decisions
when findings do not align.
Researchers may find it difficult to prevent such misuse, but it remains
an ethical issue. 03/23/2025
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30. The Misuse of Information
Usage of Research by Sponsors:
Sponsoring bodies may use research to justify management decisions or
agendas.
Ethical Concerns:
Unethical to let research be used to support management decisions
when findings do not align.
Researchers may find it difficult to prevent such misuse, but it remains
an ethical issue. 03/23/2025
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31. Summary: Ethical Issues in Research
 Ethical Awareness:
 Essential for both quantitative and qualitative research.
 Adhere to the professional code of conduct; deviations are considered unethical.
 Key Ethical Areas:
 Participants:
 Information collection, consent, incentives, sensitive data, harm, confidentiality.
 Researchers:
 Bias, treatment provision, research methodology, reporting, misuse of information.
 Sponsoring Organizations:
 Restrictions, use of findings, and potential manipulation.
 Conclusion:
 Understand ethical issues and implement strategies to prevent harm to all stakeholders. 03/23/2025
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32. Thank you
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