Research Ethics

The moral principles and values, such as right and wrong,

justice and virtue, that guide the collection of information.
They are guidelines on how to act when faced with moral
dilemmas.

Where do Ethical Problems Arise

in Business Research?
Treatment of respondents/participants

Impact on others
Collection of data

Interpretation of data
Use of data

Ethical vs. Legal

Yes

Ethical
and
Legal

Ethical
but
Illegal

Unethical
but
Legal

Unethical
and
Illegal

Yes

No

Ethical?

No

Legal?

Treatment of Respondents
No harm
Confidential or Anonymous?
Harmful products
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v

Full disclosure

=tLEqYxVVoHs&feature=related

Before and after (debriefing)

No deception (passive or active)

No coercion
Right of refusal

Identity protection
Anonymity or confidentiality
Respondents and client

Impact on Others
Public
Nature of product

Nature of knowledge

Other stakeholders
Competition, suppliers, shareholders
Fairness of data obtained

Collection of Data
Following appropriate methods
Scientific method
Interpretive method

Accurate report of method

Use of Data
Disclose only as appropriate
Who paid for the data?
What level of confidentiality was assured?
What extent of use was agreed upon?
By respondents

By purchaser
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hy37hjPUFW
o

National Council on Ethics in

Human Research (NCEHR):
Tri-Council guidelines for human subjects research
Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans
Medical Research Council (MRC),
Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC),
Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC).
http://www.pre.ethics.gc.ca/eng/resources-ressources/news-nouvelles/nrcp/2010-12-07/

American Anthropological Associations Code of Ethics

http://www.aaanet.org/_cs_upload/issues/policy-advocacy/27668_1.pdf

American Anthropological Associations Code of Ethics

1. Anthropological researchers have primary ethical obligations to the people,
species, and materials they study and to the people with whom they work.
2. These obligations can supersede the goal of seeking new knowledge, and can
lead to decisions not to undertake or to discontinue a research project when the
primary obligation conflicts with other responsibilities, such as those owed to
sponsors or clients.
3. These ethical obligations include:
To avoid harm or wrong, understanding that the development of knowledge
can lead to change which may be positive or negative for the people or animals
worked with or studied
To respect the well-being of humans and nonhuman primates
To consult actively with the affected individuals or group(s), with the goal of
establishing a working relationship that can be beneficial to all parties involved
4. Anthropologists have a responsibility to be both honest and transparent with all
stakeholders about the nature and intent of their research. They must not
misrepresent their research goals, funding sources, activities, or findings.
Anthropologists should never deceive the people they are studying regarding the
sponsorship, goals, methods, products, or expected impacts of their work.
Deliberately misrepresenting ones research goals and impact to research subjects
is a clear violation of research ethics, as is conducting clandestine research.

Key Points
Legal does not equal ethical.
Researchers have broad responsibilities:
To respondents, to clients, to stakeholders, and
to the public.

Research integrity is crucial.

Act ethically, or rules will be imposed.