FOESR_meeting_6

Foundations of Empirical Social Research

I. Ethics in Research

• Importance of ethical considerations in research involving human and non-human subjects.

Ethical Issues in Research Design and Conduct

• Research Design:

  • Importance of planning research and framing questions ethically.

• Conduct of Research:

  • Data generation and analysis must be carried out ethically.

• Reporting Results:

  • Results should be reported in an ethical manner.

Scientific Community and Ethical Codes

• Tourism Research:

  • A part of a larger scientific community.

• Codes of Ethical Conduct:

  • Nuremberg Code

  • Declaration of Helsinki

  • Universal Declaration of Human Rights

  • ANZALS (Australia & New Zealand Association for Leisure Studies)

Peer Reviews Role

• Ensuring the quality of research through:

  • Researcher's skill and knowledge.

  • Correct methodology and data analysis.

  • Accurate presentation of findings, proposals, reports, and publications.

Key Ethical Principles

1. No Harm Principle:

   • Ensuring no harm befalls research subjects.

2. Free Participation:

   • Participation must be voluntary, based on informed consent.

3. Confidentiality:

   • Personal data must be treated as confidential or anonymous.

4. Truthfulness to Subjects:

   • No deception regarding any aspects of the research.

Understanding Harm in Research

• Types of Harm:

  • Physical harm.

  • Psychological harm (anxiety, embarrassment, stress).

  • Legal harm (involvement in illegal activities).

Free Choice in Participation

• Importance of voluntary participation, especially in critical areas:

  • Population census, children, hospital research, large subject observations.

• Subjects' rights:

  • Right to refuse to answer questions.

  • Right to withdraw from the study at any time.

Informed Consent

• Essential disclosures to participants:

  • Purpose of the research.

  • Nature of the sponsor or beneficiary.

  • Potential risks or harms involved.

  • Intended use of findings.

• Consent Mechanism:

  • Use of informed consent letter or written consent form.

Example of Consent Form for Language Use Studies

• Participants must indicate consent on the use of recorded materials:

  • Used by research team.

  • For scientific publications/meetings.

  • Shared with other researchers.

  • Public presentations.

  • Broadcasted on television/radio.

• Privacy Assurance:

  • Names will not be identified.

Anonymity and Confidentiality Considerations

• Protecting participants’ privacy:

  • Researcher assurances must be honored.

  • Handling direct data collection with care:

    • Use of coded identifiers instead of personal names.

• Sensitivity Issues:

  • Masking true identity of sponsors and research purposes.

Deception and Covert Research Concerns

• Ethical implications of conducting research without the full disclosure of objectives.

The Researcher’s Responsibilities

• Competence:

  • Maintaining high standards of research ability.

• Research Misconduct Instances:

  • Misrepresentation of research design and falsification of results.

  • Plagiarism and duplication of research efforts.

• Power Dynamics:

  • Awareness of power relations in researcher-sponsor interactions.

  • Ensuring intellectual freedom.