The student's guide to research ethics

Author(s): Oliver, Paul
Document type: Book
Year: 2003
Pages: 160
Source: Publishing house: Open University Press (Maidenhead, Philadelphia)
Language(s): English

Classification

National background: Great Britain
Category: EU Training Material for Research Ethics
Subject areas: Conflict of interest; Ethical research (fraud and misconduct); Information (data protection, privacy etc.); Other: Social sciences
Content: Case studies; Cultural specifics; Ethical theories; Normative reflections
Issues touched: Autonomy, respect, informed consent, subjects unable to consent, role of representatives Beneficence, non-maleficence, risk for the subject Protection of privacy, data protection, biological material Vulnerable groups, soldiers, prisoners, pregnant women, elderly people International research, research in developing countries Social impact of research, economic benefits, risks for third parties Social background of research, conflicts of interest, researcher vs. doctor, commercialization Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism Ethics committees, research protocols
Audience: higher education students in the social sciences
Classification remarks: Textbook, primarily for self-study.

Estimation

Theoretical quality remarks: The grade for "ethical theories" is only "low" because of several restrictions in presentation and discussion. For instance, elements of Kant, Ross or Mill are presented only via other authors, not quoting the original sources; "relativism" is falsely defined as the mere presence of different belief systems. The grade for "normative reflections" is only "medium" because some of the problems identified are not discussed to a sufficient degree. For instance, the typical problem of using deception in social research is not dealt with in a very helpful manner, stating that it is probably unethical, but possibly justifiable from a utilitarian point of view; the other typical problem of personal involvement in social research is touched upon superficially, just by stating the problem of becoming a counsellor instead of an interviewer.
Didactical quality: Didactically prepared material
Overall estimation: recommendable
Estimation remarks: The book is apparently written for self-study. The text does display some shortcomings as mentioned in the theoretical quality remarks. Some of the material in "boxes" might be directly presented to students: Especially the "ethical dilemmas" could be a fruitful basis for discussions; the "ethical dialogues" are less illuminating, consisting just of fictional discussions between researchers, without any clear conflict or opposition of opinions.