Assignment Task
This assessment tests your knowledge of the topic of research ethics and how these directly relate to your research methodology chosen for your dissertation research topic. LO4, LO5. It is very easy to think that asking people questions has no impact upon them as researchers do this all the time. However, asking people questions or even simply interacting and/or observing them in order to collect data can, and often does, have unintended consequences for both researcher and participant. Understanding how our research can impact someone is a critical component of your development as a business graduate, and as a researcher. The golden rule of all research is ‘first, do no harm,’ to anyone involved including yourself. In order to achieve this, you must study what ethics are and what role they play in research activities.
This assignment requires you to provide the following:
1. Aim of your research – In one sentence explain what you intend to find out.
2. Objectives of your research.
3. Methodology. Briefly reiterate the Approach, Design, Methods and Participants.
4. Ethical considerations. This is the main section of your assignment and you are expected to identify and discuss ethical issues relevant to your research.
Respect for the autonomy, privacy and dignity of individuals and communities. Explain what procedures you are going to put in place for valid consent, confidentiality, anonymity and fair treatment. These could include the Participant information form; Participant Consent form;
Scientific integrity
Explain what measures you will be taking to ensure that your research is based on authentic data that you have collected from the participants described in your methods” section.
Social responsibility
Explain how your research supports and reflect respect for the dignity and integrity of persons and organisations involved. Explain how your research contributes to the “common good”.
Maximising benefit and minimising harm
Explain what you will be doing to avoid potential risk to the personal values, invasion of privacy and risk to psychological well-being of your participants and organisations. Explain who could benefit from your findings and how.