Draft Ethical Guidelines Institute for Employment Studies Social Research Association

Approach taken Collecting existing ethical guidelines Literature on research ethics Contacting experts

The importance of guidelines Why we need guidelines Why yet another set of guidelines Guidelines only a starting point

Ethical decision making A series of dilemmas Often no easy answer Ultimately responsibility of researcher An informed decision

Structure of the guidelines A main principle Statement expanding this principle Issues/dilemmas Broader discussion

Themes Responsibilities to society Professional expertise and standards Responsibilities to research participants

Society The research aims of any study should both benefit society and minimise social harm

Society Professional integrity must be balanced with national and international law

Society Research must be commissioned and conducted with respect for and awareness of gender differences

Society Research must be commissioned and conducted with respect for groups regardless of race, ethnicity, religion and culture

Society Research must be commissioned and conducted with respect for under- represented social groups and the avoidance of marginalisation or exclusion of these

Society Researchers should address the concerns of relevant stakeholders and user groups

Professional standards An appropriate research method should be selected on the basis of informed professional expertise

Professional standards Ensuring the research team has the necessary professional expertise and support

Professional standards Conducting research should not involve any unwarranted material gain either to respondents or to researchers

Professional standards Research projects should be designed, conducted and reported in an unbiased manner

Professional standards Researchers and commissioners should reflect on the consequences of research engagement for all participants

Professional standards Reporting and dissemination should be carried out in a responsible manner

Professional standards Methodology and findings should be submitted to peer review

Professional standards Any debts to previous research as a source of knowledge, data, concepts and methodology should be fully acknowledged in all outputs

Respondents Participation in research should be voluntary

Respondents Decisions about participation should be made from an informed position

Respondents All data should be treated with appropriate confidentiality and anonymity

Respondents Research participants should be protected from undue intrusion, harm or distress