Research ethics in the field of Humanities

1. by
Catherine Dawson
Chapter No. 13
Presenter: Hira Mukhtar
A Practical Guide to
Research Methods

2. How to be an Ethical Researcher

3. Outline of this session
 Objectives
 Introduction of Research Ethics
 Covert and Overt Research
 Ethical Principles of Research
 Ethics of Research & Code of Ethics
 Ethic of Reciprocity
 Conclusion
 Works Cited
 Self-assessment
 Question/Answer session

4. Objectives
By the end of this talk, you will be
able to understand:
 the meaning of ‘Ethics’ and its importance,
particularly in research
 the difference between Covert and Overt Research
 responsibility of a researcher towards the human
participants
 the main points of Code of Ethics

5. Research Ethics means…
Nothing other than
treating the participants
and the information they
provide, with honesty and
respect

6. The two methods of Research
 Covert Research
The researcher’s identity is unknown as he works
under cover
 Overt Research
The research is open and the public knows the
researcher and what he is doing

7. Covert Research
It is good because
 it’s the only way to
know the internal
issues of any
organization
 nothing is hidden
from the researcher
It is bad because
 researcher’s personal
safety is at risk
 researcher’s contacts
are unsafe
 it can give researcher
a bad name
 it can discourage
people from taking
part in research

8. Overt Research
It is good because
 honesty is there
 people are well-
informed
 researcher is treated
with respect
 no risk of personal
safety is there
It is bad because
 people hide the
sensitive issues
 they are often shy of
talking to a strangerer
 it takes time to develop
rapport
 sometimes people
demand benefits to
help

9. Which one is right?

10. Covert vs. Overt
 Both have their pros and cons
 Covert research should be avoided as far as
possible
 Overt research should be preferred

11. Three Ethical Principles That
Govern Research
 Autonomy
 Beneficence
 Justice

12. Ethics of Research
 Disclosure
 Understanding
 Voluntariness
 Competence
 Consent
 Avoiding Deception

13. Code of Ethics
 Informed Consent
 Privacy
 Confidentiality
 Fairness (No deception)
 Safety of Researcher
 Right to Comment
 The Final Report
 Data Protection

15. Do unto others as you would
have them do unto you
Golden Rule / Ethic of Reciprocity

16. So one may say that….
 Ethics in research means doing the right thing
the right way
 Being open is better than working under cover
 Shortcuts should be avoided
 The participants should be taken on board
 A code of ethics should be developed and shared
with the participants
 Be in the participants’ shoes to feel what they
feel

17. Always Remember

18. Works Cited
 Dawson, Catherine: A Practical Guide to Research
Methods: A user-friendly manual for mastering research
techniques and projects: 2007 3rd Edition How to books
publication
 http://www.slideshare.net/MaiJoy/research-
methodology-ethical-issues-in-research-an-assignment
 http://architecturaldesignthesis.blogspot.com/
 http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cac
he:IhawehIkYcoJ:www.ahc.umn.edu/img/assets/26104
/Research_Ethics.pdf+&cd=4&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=pk

19. Self-assessment
Have I met my objectives?
Have you understood:
 the meaning of ‘Ethics’ and its
importance, particularly in
research?
 the difference between Covert
and Overt research?
 responsibility of a researcher
towards the human
participants?
 the main points of Code of
Ethics?