Seminar 1: Principles in Research Ethics

SCENARIO 1:
Concerning this scenario the “Ethical dilemma” interferes during Sam’s research. In fact, even if her supervisor was informed about her research inside the company her co-workers didn’t know about it at all. We can say that the principle of the “Researcher identity” is not respected since Sam lied about her real identity and her real intentions. We can also notice that the principle of “physical and psychological harm” is engaged since Sam discovered that one of her co-workers was often subjected to sexual harassment at work.
Sam should have informed her co-workers, when she began her temporary job, that she was here to make an ethnographic research. She also should have been aware of this terrible situation and should have informed her supervisor.
If they were aware on Sam’s real identity the staff of the company would have the right to not accept to be included into the research. In fact, they would be able to use the principle of “retraction of consent”.
The fact the Sam did not inform her co-workers that she was making a research can be justify by the fact that if she told they maybe won’t be themselves. The research’s results would not be exacts and would not reflect the real image of the company.
Sam can’t talk about the harassment because she will break two ethics principles: the Anonymity and the Confidentiality which impose to her to not reveal the participants’ identity. However, Sam’s reaction after her discovery can’t be accepted morally.
The best Sam can do is to reveal to all her co-workers her identity and do some interviews with them in order to see their point of view and maybe resolve the problem of harassment.
Voluntary participation
Stakeholders: co-workers, supervisor, Sam
In the UK it’s not illegal to use our recording voice.
When people know they are watched they act differently. We can justify her actions by the objective of the research.
The research doesn’t harm the