Module 4 – Ethical Considerations in Educational Research

Acitivity 1: A question of Ethics

*Quotes from the national statement on ethical considerations in research

1. Why do we need ethical guidelines for research with humans?

Research with humans includes manipulating interactions with people in order to try and serve the public good. Therefore the public is responsible for ensuring that these interactions are ‘ethically acceptable to the Australian Community’ (p. 8) History has accounted for a number of research disasters where the risks to participants were obviously not a consideration. ‘…notoriously, the Second World War experiments in detention and concentration camps’ (p.7) Of course these are extreme cases, but basic human rights and what is considered to be right or wrong, Ethics, need to be considered so as to ensure that the benefits of research out way the risks.


2. What special requirements are needed for working with children under 18?

‘Participation that is voluntary and based on sufficient information requires an adequate understanding of the purpose, methods, demands, risks and potential benefits of the research.’ (p.19) This applies to all research participants but when it comes to children, according to the National statement on ethical considerations in research, depending on their level of conceptual understanding, Children still need to be informed of the research process and risks involved. Their participation is voluntary and where they can’t speak for themselves parental involvement is necessary. Consent is needed from the participant where possible and the parents. ‘…even young children with very limited cognitive capacity should be engaged at their level in discussion about the research and its likely outcomes.’ (p. 55)

3. How can we insure that ethical guidelines are followed?

Babbie (2008) refers to institutional review boards, all large scale research projects need to pass through an ethical review. When dealing with smaller school based or in class action research studies it would be important to consider the main values and beliefs listed in the national statement on ethical considerations for research. (Respect, Justice, Beneficence, Research Merit and Integrity).