ETHICS IN

SOCIAL
RESEARCH
Dr. Codruta Gosa

codrutagosa@yahoo.co.uk

CONCEPTUAL
CLARIFICATIONS
Ethics

and moral

what is seen as good or bad, right or wrong

culturally and historically bound

Moral

a specific act consistent with

accepted notions of right or wrong
Ethics general principles of what to do (in
research terms, obeying certain guidelines:
code(s) of practice, designed by professional
associations)

TASK 1

You want to research a problem pertaining to the

social phenomenon labelled as marriage.
Identify the ethical problems it might entail and
the possible solutions.

Ethical issue
solution(s)
1.
2.
3.

Possible

GENERAL PRINCIPLES
Consent
Honesty
Protection of participants
Benefit

SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES: WHEN

WORKING WITH TEXTS
PREVIOUSLY PRODUCED
1.

Copyright laws

SPECIFIC PRINCIPLES: WHEN

WORKING WITH PEOPLE
Ten questionable practices in working with
people (adapted from Robson: 1993)
1. Involving people without their knowledge
or consent;
2. Coercing them to participate;
3. Withholding information about the true
nature of research;
4. Otherwise deceiving the participants;
5. Inducing them to commit acts
diminishing their self-esteem;

6. Violating rights of self-determination;

7. Exposing participants to physical or mental
stress;
8. Invading their privacy;
9. Withholding benefits;
10. Not treating participants fairly, or with
consideration, or with respect.

TASK 2

Think of the research project for your

dissertation. Identify the ethical problems it
might entail and the possible solutions.

Ethical issue
solution(s)
1.
2.
3.

Possible

QUALITY PRINCIPLES IN
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH

Reliability
Validity

Objectivity

QUALITY PRINCIPLES IN
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH

Lincoln and Gubas (1985) concept

of trustworthiness
Credibility
Transferability
Dependability
Confirmability