If we consider data collection and its reporting to make up research, then we will all have been exposed to being participants in some form of social research. Data collection from people in society is now part of everyday life. Ethical research demands that respect is afforded to the rights and dignity of human participants. Studies need to be designed to be worthwhile and any potential harm anticipated and minimised. Ethical research requires thinking carefully about what constitutes participation in research and the responsibilities of researchers not only to participants, but also to all those affected by a study.

Use an ethical appraisal framework to develop and assess research proposals

On this online course you will be supported in reflecting on the value of ethical thinking for research and discover an ethical appraisal framework that you can apply to empirical research projects in social science, arts, education and the humanities. The course is designed to offer insights for both researchers and potential participants.

What you will study

The course starts by exploring what ethics is and why it is important to research through a consideration of examples of studies which can be challenged in terms of their ethicality. We will use an ethical appraisal framework to illustrate ways of thinking about the ethical implications of designing a study and recruiting participants, taking into consideration different stakeholder perspectives. We will reflect on how it is important to show integrity as a researcher whilst conducting and reporting studies. This will include thinking about what might go wrong in a study and how these issues might be anticipated.

Get guidance on ethical social science research from the University of Leicester

This course has been developed by members of the University of Leicester College of Social Science, Arts and Humanities and is supported by an extensive set of resources for researchers on a website entitled Doing Ethical Research.

• The importance of ethical thinking to studying society
• What constitutes unethical research
• What makes research worthwhile
• What a researcher can do to maximise the benefits of a study
• What is responsible research
• Which legislation and regulations researchers should consider
• What is respectful research
• Showing sensitivity, empathy and protecting vulnerable groups in research
• Ethical issues associated with ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ researcher roles
• How researchers can feel confident that they are ‘doing the right thing’
• Maintaining ethicality during fieldwork
• Maintaining ethicality when reporting and disseminating
• Practical applications of ethical thinking to support research

Who will you learn with?

Jim Askham

I am a lecturer in Applied Linguistics at the University of Leicester. I have participated in a range of research projects in TESOL and am especially interested in teacher education issues.

 

Alison Fox

Alison is an educational researcher who studies student and teacher learning. Her interest in research ethics developed through her support of teacher researchers based in schools and in Universities.

 

 

Who developed the course?

University of Leicester

The University of Leicester is a leading research led university with a strong tradition of excellence in teaching. It is consistently ranked amongst the top 20 universities in the United Kingdom.