Doing Ethical Research

'This in an excellent text on a topic that is becoming increasingly important for students and professionals alike. It is well-researched, written in a clear and accessible style, and will be extremely useful for both novice and experienced researchers' – Patrick White, University of Leicester, UK 'Offering incredibly useful and practical guidance, this book talks through some very recognisable problems whilst giving accessible discussions of complex issues for those new to these topics. With provocative ethical dilemmas and questions posed throughout, it encourages the reader to think critically about ethics processes that are often about interpretation.' - Nathan Hughes, University of Birmingham, UK. Navigating ethical issues throughout your research project can be a confusing and daunting task. But why are ethics so important anyway? Can you anticipate or prepare for ethical dilemmas before they happen? And what can you do if they arise in your research? Doing Ethical Research offers essential advice on how to negotiate ethical considerations at each stage of your project, from the approval application to the final report write-up. In particular, the book: - examines the fundamental importance of ethical research and assessment - explores hot topics of consent, confidentiality and research relationships - includes ethical dilemmas and case studies to show how ethics affect real-life research - gives readers confidence to interpret and critically reflect upon ethical debates Each chapter is packed with clear examples and explanations that are designed to help readers to make their own ethical decisions. It is an essential resource for all researchers, whatever their level or research background. Cover 1 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Figures 9 Ethical Dilemmas 10 Acknowledgements 11 Introduction 12 Part I Ethical Basics 21 1 Thinking Critically about Research Ethics 22 2 Ethical Principles and Codes 36 3 Ethical Procedures, Institutions and Norms 49 Part II Ethics in Practice 66 4 Research Design and Ethics 67 5 Writing a Successful Ethics Proposal 89 6 Ethical Dilemmas When Running Projects 104 Part III Ethical ‘Hot Topics’ 117 7 Informed Consent 118 8 Privacy, Anonymity and Confi dentiality 135 9 Assessment of Possible Harm 150 10 Vulnerable Groups and Sensitive Topics 167 11 The Ethics of Research with Children and Young People 176 12 Internet Research and Ethics 189 Sample Consent Form and Information Sheet 199 Appendix: Ethical Codes, Guidelines and Resources 202 Bibliography 206 Index 218 Doing,Ethical,Research "Understanding and correctly applying ethics is an essential part of any research project. Students and researchers often struggle with knowing how and when to consider ethical issues and what to do when things don't go to plan. With examples throughout, this book is a practical guide to navigating the difficulties of this hugely important area."--Publisher's website