Chapter 6 Negotiating access and research ethics

Gaining access to data (1) Physical access – key issues Organisations may not wish to allocate resources Requests for access may not be of sufficient interest Failure to reach those who can give permission Concerns about sensitivity and confidentiality Perceptions about the researcher’s credibility Doubts about the researcher’s competence

Gaining access to data (2) Points to consider Access as an iterative process Obtaining consent from managers and participants The nature and extent of the required access Obtaining sufficient scope to answer the research question

Gaining access to data (3) Virtual access - four types of online community Bulletin boards for particular products or services Independent web pages Themed email lists Multiuser chat rooms Adapted from Kozinets (2002)

Strategies to gain access (1) Areas for consideration Ensuring familiarity and understanding Allowing sufficient time Using existing contacts and developing new ones Giving a clear account of purpose

Strategies to gain access (2) Areas for consideration Overcoming organisational concerns Identifying possible organisational benefits Appropriate forms of communication Establishing researcher credibility

Research Ethics (1) Definition ‘The appropriateness of your behaviour in relation to the rights of those who become the subject of or are affected by your work’ Adapted from Saunders et al. (2009)

Ethical issues at different stages of research Research Ethics (2) Ethical issues at different stages of research Source: Saunders et al. (2009) Figure 6.1 Ethical issues at different stages of research (part 1)

Ethical issues at different stages of research Research Ethics (3) Ethical issues at different stages of research Source: Saunders et al. (2009) Figure 6.1 Ethical issues at different stages of research (part 2)

Research conduct is affected by Research Ethics (4) Research conduct is affected by Code of ethics Research ethics committees General ethical issues Netiquette

Five principles for research ethics (1) Discuss intellectual property frankly Be conscious of multiple roles

Five principles for research ethics (2) Follow informed-consent rules The purpose of the research, expected duration and procedures. Participants' rights to decline to participate and to withdraw from the research once it has started. Reasonably foreseeable factors that may influence their willingness to participate, such as potential risks, discomfort or adverse effects. Any prospective research benefits. Limits of confidentiality Incentives for participation. Who participants can contact with questions.

Five principles for research ethics (3) Respect confidentiality and privacy Tap into ethics resources

The nature of participant consent Research Ethics (5) The nature of participant consent Source: Saunders et al. (2009) Figure 6.2 The nature of participant consent

Data analysis and reporting Related issues Sensitive personal data Confidentiality and anonymity Protection of research participants Ethical use of data analysis and conclusions