8-1 Short Paper: Ethics in Research
Caterina Raneri
OL-501 Southern New Hampshire University
October 16, 2022
Ethics is defined as the "code of conduct or expected societal norms of behavior"
(Sekaran & Bougie, 2016). During every step of the research process ethical behavior is
essential. Throughout the text it shows how each stage has considered ethical behavior starting
from preliminary investigation, literature review to data collection and analysis. The case studies,
Ethical Issues in Using the Internet in Research (Research 1) and Ethical Issues in Qualitative
Research on Internet Communities (Research 2) discuss the ethical considerations for internet
research methods. Research 1, focuses on the trauma of patients with brain damage following
trauma such as a road traffic accident. This research is to find out about their daily lives after
being discharged from the hospital. Data is collected by a phenomenological approach in which
each participant will be asked to take part in a series of in-depth interviews, via email, over a
period of about two years.
When conducting research, a careful, well-judged assessment of the potential harmful
consequences of concealed observational research should be made by the researcher (Sekaran &
Bougie, 2016). In the case study, Ethical Issues in Using the Internet in Research it discusses The
internet holds various pitfalls for researchers, who can easily and unintentionally violate the
privacy of individuals (Eysenbach & Till, 2001). Ethical issues that should be accounted for is
privacy and confidentiality. By quoting the exact words of a newsgroup participant, a researcher
may breach the participant's confidentiality even if the researcher removes any personal
information according to Research 1. How this could be addressed is by having participants
always aware that this can indeed happen and to give their explicit consent. To maintain ethical
standards should be taken into high priority. In Research 2, another ethical issue is present.
Potential and Harm. The nature of the data to be collected, how they will be stored, who will
have access to them, how they will be used and destroyed are routine topics for consideration in
any ethical review (Eysenbach & Till, 2001). When confidential information is stored and able
to be accessible to others this can bring potential and harm. "There should be absolutely no
misrepresentation or distortion in reporting the data collected during the study" (Sekaran &
Bougie, 2016). This will cause the study to become invalid if there is representation of
distortion. Research 2's community deals with those who have been in a traumatic life
experience. Revisiting a traumatic life experience can make the individual relive the experience
hence where potential and harm are present. The researcher has a responsibility to ensure that all
reasonable steps are taken to help participants cope with the aftermath of the interview (McGee
2008). By providing proper follow up this will address this issue to comply with both legal and
professional standards of practice.