Reflections on Ethical Research in Action: Working at the Practice Edge

Abstract

This paper draws on the experience of one research project in action to evaluate the usefulness of research ethics frameworks when the environment surrounding project negotiation, data collection and dissemination is seriously disturbed by critical incidents. The paper questions the lack of emphasis in research ethics codes on the competence and capacity of agencies when commissioning and sponsoring research. Using events that surrounded one project, the paper researches the research. It explores what impacted on the creation of the context for ethical and effective research and how the researchers responded to the ethical challenges that emerged. Different theoretical understandings and ethical models are drawn upon to explore how a research team translated ethical research in theory into ethical research in practice within an organization in turmoil.

Keywords:

• Research Ethics
• Duty of Care
• Situation Ethics
• Research in Action

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Michael Preston-Shoot

Professor Michael Preston-Shoot is Dean of the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, UK

Veronica Wigley

Veronica Wigley is an independent research consultant based in Sheffield, UK

Isabella McMurray

Isabella McMurray is a researcher in the Division of Psychology, University of Bedfordshire, UK

Helen Connolly

Helen Connolly is a PhD student in the Department of Applied Social Studies, University of Bedfordshire, UK