Research is always conducted with other people and through research findings we influence their thinking and actions.
Everything we do or say influence others in some way. Therefore, we need to learn to think critically, and keep our minds opened for new possibilities.
Influence needs to be educational. We know that each person posses independence of mind and they can decide for themselves to whether accept anything they hear or not. We are also capable of testing the validity of anything we hear through critical judgement.
The true is, that we make choices on whether we want to be influenced. We might be, however, subject to manipulative actions or propaganda. Therefore, our own education helps us to make decisions about what we choose to believe. Through learning we become critical and assess the situation ourselves.
We educate others if we can influence their critical thinking. We must, however, first demonstrate our own capability for critical reflection. We need to see ourselves in relation to others not seeing others as separate entities. We are to develop an open dialogue about our own attitudes and actions.
Do we see ourselves as a centre around which everything evolves? What kind of relationships we experience with others?
Different people have different idea on what counts as ethics and ethical behaviours. Some people think its all about living to our fullest potential and others believe it is about conducting ourselves to some published guidelines.
People hold different values and perspectives.
Many Professional Standards are published for many disciplines. But all have something in common:
* prevention of harm
* maintaining confidentiality
* ensuring informed consent
* honesty and integrity
* right to withdrawn.
These guidelines are complimented by 6 Cs:
Care
Compassion
Competence
Communication
Courage
Commitment
Could we implement this in everyday practices?
In terms of educating and influencing others, when researching also guidelines exist. We should conduct it with respect to:
* the persons
* knowledge
* democratic values
* quality of educational research
* academic freedom
The participants of any undertaking (or research) should be open, volunteer to provide information and consent, have the right to withdraw, privacy and disclosure.
We are also responsible for the methods of performing the research and publications.
The most important factors
As minimum we should do the following:
1. Draw up documentation
Prepare and distribute ethics documentation to everyone. We need to include ethics statement and permissions. Check with the participants on whether they want their identify to be relieved. If they do, acknowledge their contributions.
Ethics documentation includes the following:
* An ethics statement. This is our own statement on how we will conduct our research. Make copies of this statement.
* Letters requesting and granting permission. These letters identify which participants will be involved. In the letter say what data will be destroyed.
Example of ethical statement.
Another example:
Dear [Name]
I am undertaking an action research project to study my own practice as [ your work ]. This ethics statement is to assure you that I will observe good ethical practice throughout the research.
This means that:
* the Permission of my Principal and Board of Management will be secured before the research commences
* the permission of the children and their written consent will be secured before the research commences
* confidentiality will be observed at all times, and no names will be revealed of the school, children or staff
* participants will be kept informed of progress at all times
* participants will have access to the research report before it is published
* I will report only that which is in the public domain and within the law,
* all participants have the right to withdraw from the research at any time and all data relating to them will be destroyed.
[ Your signature ]................................
[ Your name ]......................................
Examples of letters requesting and granting permission to do your research:
To parents and carers
[ Your institutional address]
[ Date ]
[Name and address of parent or carer]
Dear [Name]
Requesting permission to undertake research
as part of my work with the [organisation, or name of project] I am conducting a piece of action research into studying how I can encourage children to improve their word skills using computers. I would be grateful if you would give your permission for [ name of child] to take part.
My data collection methods will include audio and video recordings of the children any myself in conversation, photographs, diary recordings, field notes and reports. I guarantee that I will observe ethical conduct throughout. I promise that I will not reveal the name of the school colleagues, parents or children at anytime, unless you inform me in writing that you wish me to do so. If you wish, I will keep you informed of progress throughout. My research report will be available at [workplace] for scrutiny before it is published.
I would be grateful if you could sign and return the slip below at your earliest convenience.
I enclose two copies of this letter. Please retain one copy for your files.
[ Your signature ] ..........................................
[ Your name]..................................................
To [ your name]
I [ name] , give my permission for [ participants name ] to take part in your research.
{ Parent's / carer's signature ] .........................
[ Parent's / carer's name ] ...............................
Example letter to principal or manager:
[ Your institutional address]
[ Date]
[ Name and address of principal / manager ]
Dear [ Name ]
Requesting permission to undertake research.
As part of my work [ with name of the project as appropriate ], I am conducting a piece of action research into studying how I can encourage children to improve word skills using computers. I would be grateful if you could give your permission and support for this project. My data collection methods will include audio and video recordings of the children and myself in conversation, photographs, diary recordings, field notes and reports. I guarantee that I will observe ethical conduct throughout. I will negotiate permission to work with the children. I will secure permission from parents and children to involve them in research. I guarantee confidentiality of information and promise that no names of the school, colleagues or children will be made public without your permission and the permission of those who wish to be named.
I promise that I will make my research report available for you for scrutiny before it is published, and I will make a copy of the report available for your files on its publication.
I would be grateful if you would sign and return the slip below at your earliest convenience.
I enclose two copies of this letter. Please retain one copy for our files.
[Your signature]................................................
[Your name]......................................................
I, Principal [Name of school], give my permission for [Your name] to undertake her/his research in her/his classroom and in the school.
[ Principal's signature]......................................
[ Principal's name]............................................
2. Negotiate access
Negotiate access with:
* institutional ethics committee - the committee will ensure that all stakeholder's interests are protected,
* principals and managers - check with principals and managers when conducting research connected with their organisation. Establish boundaries. Get the agreement in writing,
* participants - get permission from people involved, keep them informed,
* parents and carers - when working with children or vulnerable people under supervision, obtain permission from parents or carers. Send a letter explaining what you are doing or arrange a meeting.
3. Promise confidentiality
You must explain that you will be true to our word and protect people's interests. This involves confidentiality of information. Report only that information which is in the public domain and within the law. You will not reveal anything of personal or compromising nature. It also involves confidentiality of identity. We do not reveal the names of people or places unless permission in writing is obtained. We will allocate initials, numbers or other symbols to identify participants. If the organisation gives written permission to give real name, we can go ahead. It also involves confidentiality of data, such as transcripts or videos, and we must check with the organisation to give written permission also. Encourage owners to read before publishing them.
4. Ensure participants right to withdraw
We are to check continually that participants are comfortable with the procedures. Let them know that their rights are protected, and they may withdraw if they wish.
5. Ensure good professional and academic conduct
Ensure that gathering data and producing reports is academically and professionally sound. Do not audio or video anything without a permission. It is unethical to record peoples lectures and presentations without their knowledge. When interviewing people, ensure you tell them how data will be used and stick to your commitments. Do not use other people's words without acknowledgement. Doing research is a professional practice and requires personal responsibility.
6. Keep good faith
Establish from the very beginning that you can be trusted. Keep your promises, confidentiality and reporting. Always check with people if you are in doubt. Demonstrating your integrity and authenticity keep faith and publish your work.
Values
There is a distinction between speaking values and living them. It is easy to speak about values. It is also unlikely that we can fully achieve our values, but we achieve some.
Ethics is about how to live a good life, that is how to live live in conjunction with our values.
It is not easy to show that. Often we need to negotiate our values with others. To resolve those conflicts we often need to draw up another value, which is finding balance with others, which is impossible. Perhaps we need to accept that there is no definite answer.
We live with honesty, thinking about others and always look for new possibilities. This might be what action research is all about.
Summary
The success of a project depends on appropriate conduct. We must seek and obtain permission to do our research and keep people involved throughout the process.
The matters of ethical issues should be consider before the research commence. We should not proceed until we have obtained the permissions.
Bibliography
McNiff J 2016 You and your action research project. London ; New York : Routledge; Fourth edition.
Collis J & Hussey R 2014 Business Research A practical guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Hampshire UK; Palgrave Macmillan;
Fourth Edition
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