1. Chapter 6 Negotiating access and research ethics

2. 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

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

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

5. Gaining access to data (4)
Checklist Box 6.8
Complete the Checklist in Box 6.8
to help you gain access
Saunders et al. (2009)

6. 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

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

8. 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)

9. 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)

10. 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)

11. Two philosophical standpoints of business and management research
Research Ethics (4)
Two philosophical standpoints of business
and management research
Deontological
Teleological

12. Research conduct is affected by
Research Ethics (5)
Research conduct is affected by
Code of ethics
Research ethics committees
General ethical issues
Netiquette

13. Issues during design and gaining access
Research Ethics (6)
Issues during design and gaining access
Obtaining consent - implied and informed
Using participant information sheets
Consent for observation and online observation

14. The nature of participant consent
Research Ethics (7)
The nature of participant consent
Source: Saunders et al. (2009)
Figure 6.2 The nature of participant consent

15. Issues during data collection
Research Ethics (8)
Issues during data collection
General issues applying to techniques
Awareness of participant’s rights
Keeping to the project aims
Safety of the researcher

16. Issues during data collection
Research Ethics (9)
Issues during data collection
Maintaining objectivity, confidentiality and anonymity
Appropriate interview behaviour
Use of observation techniques
Undertaking a covert study

17. Data processing and storage
Personal data must be
Processed fairly and lawfully
Obtained for specified purposes
Adequate and relevant
Accurate, updated and kept securely
Adapted from Saunders et al. (2009)

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

19. Dealing with ethical issues
Checklist Box 6.18
Complete the Checklist in Box 6.18
to help you anticipate and deal with
ethical issues
Saunders et al. (2009)

20. Summary: Chapter 6 Access and ethics are critical aspects of research
Access may be physical, cognitive or continuing
Feasibility is an important determinant
Potential ethical issues should be recognised

21. Summary: Chapter 6 Ethical concerns can occur throughout the research
Both qualitative and quantitative research have associated ethical issues
Use of the Internet and for data generation raises specific ethical issues
Data protection legislation requires researchers to comply with legal requirements