Ethics in Educational Ethics in Educational ResearchResearch

V. Darleen OpferV. Darleen Opfer

Why do we need to discuss ethics?Why do we need to discuss ethics?Percentage of Researchers who say they engaged in the behaviour within the Percentage of Researchers who say they engaged in the behaviour within the previous 3 years (n=3,247)previous 3 years (n=3,247)

Failing to present data that contradict one’s own previous research

6.06.0

Circumventing certain minor aspects of human-subject requirements

7.67.6

Overlooking others' use of flawed data or questionable interpretation of data

12.512.5

Changing the design, methodology or results of a study in response to pressure from a funding source

15.515.5

Inappropriately assigning authorship credit 10.010.0

Withholding details of methodology or results in papers or proposals

10.810.8

Using inadequate or inappropriate research designs

13.513.5

Using inadequate or inappropriate research designs

15.3 15.3

Inadequate record keeping related to research projects

27.527.5

33% of respondents had engaged in at least one unethical behavior in the 33% of respondents had engaged in at least one unethical behavior in the previous 3 yearsprevious 3 years

Where might the sources of ethical Where might the sources of ethical issues lie in research?issues lie in research?

Kinds of problem being researchedKinds of problem being researched Negotiating accessNegotiating access Methods for data collectionMethods for data collection Context of researchContext of research The sampleThe sample The data collectedThe data collected Uses of the dataUses of the data

Ethical issues arise at all stages of the research Ethical issues arise at all stages of the research processprocess

Ethical issues are activated when there are Ethical issues are activated when there are marked differences between researchers marked differences between researchers and participants in terms of their personal and participants in terms of their personal

characteristicscharacteristics AgeAge Social or professional statusSocial or professional status SexSex DisabilityDisability Cultural differencesCultural differences Religious differencesReligious differences Ethnic differencesEthnic differences

Ensuring equality and avoidance of prejudice and Ensuring equality and avoidance of prejudice and harassment are the responsibility of the harassment are the responsibility of the

researcherresearcher

Ethical Principles to be Ethical Principles to be ConsideredConsidered

BenefitBenefit Voluntary Informed ConsentVoluntary Informed Consent ConfidentialityConfidentiality DeceptionDeception Right to WithdrawRight to Withdraw HarmHarm IntegrityIntegrity

Case Questions PT1Case Questions PT1

What are Judy’s responsibilities to the What are Judy’s responsibilities to the students, parents and Ms. Rosen, if students, parents and Ms. Rosen, if any?any?

What are the potential consequences What are the potential consequences of not obtaining consent for the of not obtaining consent for the students, parents, Ms. Rosen, and students, parents, Ms. Rosen, and Judy, if any?Judy, if any?

Given the potential consequences, Given the potential consequences, should Judy obtain parental consent?should Judy obtain parental consent?

Case Questions PT2Case Questions PT2

How well does this method of consent How well does this method of consent protect the autonomy rights of the protect the autonomy rights of the students?students?

What about the parents?What about the parents? Are there alternative methods of Are there alternative methods of

obtaining consent? What are the obtaining consent? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each?advantages and disadvantages of each?

How should Judy obtain parental How should Judy obtain parental consent?consent?

Case Questions PT3Case Questions PT3 What are Judy’s responsibilities to the What are Judy’s responsibilities to the

participants in her study? How do they differ participants in her study? How do they differ from her responsibilities to the parents? the from her responsibilities to the parents? the university? the funding agency?university? the funding agency?

Does Judy have the same obligations and Does Judy have the same obligations and responsibilities to fourth graders as sixth responsibilities to fourth graders as sixth graders? What about eighth graders?graders? What about eighth graders?

What options of action are available to Judy?What options of action are available to Judy? How well do each of these options protect How well do each of these options protect

the rights of the students? the parents?the rights of the students? the parents?

Case Questions PT4Case Questions PT4

Does maintaining confidentiality Does maintaining confidentiality fulfill Judy’s ethical obligations and fulfill Judy’s ethical obligations and responsibilities to her participants, responsibilities to her participants, parents, university and funders? Why parents, university and funders? Why or why not?or why not?

Was Judy’s decision ethical? Why or Was Judy’s decision ethical? Why or why not?why not?

Ethical Issues in Your Ethical Issues in Your ResearchResearch

What ethical issues does your What ethical issues does your proposed study raise? proposed study raise?

What principles do you need to define What principles do you need to define and consider in the context of your and consider in the context of your own research?own research?