Why Are Ethical Considerations Important in Contemporary Social Research - Coursework Example

Why are ethical considerations important in contemporary social research Task Outline I. Introduction II. Rationale of the studyand the problem III. The issue IV. Ethical considerations in the contemporary social research and analysis of the main points V. The importance of ethical considerations VI. Research and use of evidence VII. Conclusion Introduction Ethics is a code of conduct and guidelines for distinguishing between the right issues and the inconsistent research practices. Ethical standards are developed to aid decision making on the right steps in conducting research on diverse phenomenon. The aspect defines professional operation techniques in various institutions that are involved in the execution of research studies. This is to ensure the realization of credible results. There are various definitions of ethics in research with most scholars providing diverse views. Clearly, ethics can be defined as the self regulating rules that aid decision making. Another school of thought presents ethics in research as the set norms for conducting and making a judgment between the acceptable and unacceptable behavior. According to the American sociological association (ASA), research studies are essential in establishing new ways of operation. Research aids the realization of new trends, based on certain phenomenon’s and how diverse complications affecting human capacity can be eradicated. Research forms a lifeblood of institutions since it provide credible information that gives room for adjustment. This explains the need of ensuring that the process is professionally driven through systematic procedures and adherence to the set standards. ASA developed credible principles to regulate research studies in the US and other nations. The principles provide clear guidelines that seek to advance credibility in conducting various studies. The guidelines also seek to ensure that research work are driven diligently and honestly through formulation of superior data collection techniques, for example, the use of questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Ideally, the principles should be ideological, socially relevant and economically viable. This is to ensure that every stakeholder understands the nature of the study and the ideals of the research since effective participation require superior understanding of the phenomenon under evaluation. This is also to ensure professional input and the realization of valid results that hold relevance in shaping decisions on various issues. Social studies are research work executed to examine certain elements relating to individuals behavior. In US, social studies have been carried out by various scholars to establish human code of behavior at certain instances especially during extreme times. This facilitates the understanding of human reactions when faced with compromising situations that present severe trauma. This paper evaluates the significance of ethical considerations in contemporary social research Rationale of the study and the problem The study is set rationally to provide credible information on the imperativeness of ethics in streamlining operations in social research studies. Evidently, ethics are self regulation guidelines that aids decision making. It facilitates researcher’s ability to make superior choices between acceptable and unacceptable behavior that is crucial in designing appropriate research techniques. Research institutions and individuals are currently emphasizing on the ethical practices that influences the outcome of various studies. This has prompted the institutions to develop strong guidelines to facilitate research activities with an aim of ensuring the provision of reliable results with authentic content. This is critical since the research institutions and individuals have a rational obligation to exhibit high standards of integrity, honesty, objectivity and openness in execution of social studies. The issue Indeed, adherence to the set principles has been a major problem that threatens to erode the noble gains that have been acquired in the research sector hence, the need for the study. This is to propel a rational understanding of the relevance of the ethical principles in executing credible studies. Ethical considerations in the contemporary social research and analysis of the main points Researchers are under obligation to adopt ethical considerations to ensure the realization of reliable results. They should practice at most decorum and diligence through the research process. According to scholars, the realization of quality results that hold the capacity of influencing decisions requires adherence to the research guidelines from the initial stage (Kirby, Greaves & Reid, 2006, P, 5). First, the researcher should design proper work plan, and methodology to ensure that every activity is undertaken within the set timelines. This is to ensure maximum utilization of resources since studies of a social nature requires immense capital. The methodology should entail superior identification of research design, data collection methodology (DCM), analysis and identification of the sample size. These processes should be guided under ethical principles that are set to advance the realization of reliable data from credible sources. Research methodology is an integral aspect in conducting studies of the diverse nature (Kirby et al, 2006, P, 12). This is critical since research methodology defines execution of activities and provides a clear sequence of operations. It is crucial to note that government agencies, individuals and learning institutions have adopted specific code of guidelines and rules relating to research ethics. The rules are set to ensure that the research processes especially the data collection techniques, for example, the use of questionnaires and interviews are executed under due diligence. The ethical principles include honesty, objectivity and integrity. Variably, carefulness, openness, confidentiality and competence also form its major elements (Ismail, Panni & Talukder, 2006).. In particular, honesty is a noble principle that requires researchers to be truthful. Honesty is critical since it should be exercised from the preamble stages of the research (Schaubroeck, 1999, P, 753). It should inform the generation of the topic to be under study, should be applied in designing the methodology, data collection, analysis and publication of results. This is to ensure that the results are not fabricated but presents the factual results as obtained from the respondents. Honesty is a crucial element that individuals who are driving studies of a social nature are under obligation to embrace (Leathard, 2007, P, 59). This is vital since the outcome of the studies that evaluate human behavior holds immense capacity in advancing cohesion and understanding between individuals. Variably, objectivity forms a central consideration that is set to avoid biasness in the experimental design, data interpretation process, analysis and presentation. This consideration ensures that researchers present the outcome of the studies that are conducted in factual and credible state without compromising the results (Schaubroeck, 1999, P, 754). This is to aid the development of reliable and viable decisions to advance performance in institutions. Integrity forms the third consideration that requires researchers to adhere to the set guidelines, keep their promises and exhibit professionalism in designing the questionnaires and interview responses. The element also requires researchers to act with sincerity and strive for consistency in terms of thought to ensure execution of credible actions. As noted by the American sociological association (ASA) carefulness remains a crucial consideration that researchers should exhibit to eradicate errors or gross negligence that may be detrimental and hinder growth. Openness is another crucial consideration that influences the outcome of a research. Researchers are expected to be open and share their resources, ideas, tools and results with various stakeholders to create awareness on the phenomenon under study. This acts as an educative process that forms subsidiary role of research studies (Leathard, 2007, P, 3). Researchers must also maintain the information received from various respondents through the use of questionnaires and interviews with at most confidentiality especially in studies of a social nature. This is an ethical consideration that bars researchers from sharing collected information with the third parties who have ill motives. Additionally, social responsibility and being in discriminatory also forms credible considerations that are significant in advancing studies of a social nature. The considerations are significant due to their relevance in steering social studies that require immense honesty in reporting and objectivity in execution of the designed activities. Therefore, individuals who seek to perform credible studies are bound to adopt the ethical guidelines as stipulated to avoid achievement of in consistent results. The importance of ethical considerations As noted, ethical considerations are set rules that aim at streamlining research operations to ensure that credible and reliable results are attainable. In particularly, the considerations seek to facilitate honesty in the development of research topic, methodology, data collection, analysis, interpretation and presentation (Ahmad & Seet, 2010, P, 77). This is to advance superior decision making based on factual results as provided by the respondents. The considerations are set to eradicate fabrication of research results and misinterpretation that are executable under unconventional techniques that compromise the development of relevant policies. The ethical considerations will also strive to eradicate biasness in the process of data gathering and interpretation. It is also set to advance the consistency of the individuals thought process and enhance designing of credible actions that are professionally informed. Consequently, the principle provides superior incentives that seek to equip researchers with requisite capacity to eradicate errors and gross negligence that may compromise the realization of valid results (Ahmad & Seet, 2010, P, 88). It will develop openness in sharing of ideas and resources in anon discriminatory manner with an aim of fostering integration. The principles also set clear guidelines that are central in advancing confidential management of the collected data. This is to ensure that the data gathered is only used for the research purposes. Indeed, the ethical code of conduct provides relevant guidelines that drive social studies and researchers should adopt the principles to aid authenticity of the results. Research and use of evidence This section gives a review of two research studies that were undertaken to provide credible information to various stakeholders pertaining to human social behavior. The studies provide insightful information based on the findings that were generated from the data collected by the use of questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. The studies adopted the ethical principles that set clear research execution guidelines. Ismail, Panni & Talukder (2006) Ismail, Panni & Talukder (2006, P, 13) sated that research is the professional way of establishing dynamic issues that affect performance in various setting and propel the development of conventional mechanism that hold the potential of driving economies. The authors conducted a study to establish the purchasing behavior and perception of individuals during extreme economic situations in the US. He adopted ethical principles of research and achieved relevant findings that propel decision making in various institutions. The researcher used questionnaires and interviews as the requisite data collection techniques. The response enabled him to draw credible findings where it was evident that individuals exhibit cautious purchasing behavior during extreme economic conditions. Guo (2011) Guo (2011, P, 182) conducted a research to establish human behavior at varied times bin life. The study was conducted to facilitate the understanding of human reactions when faced with compromising situations that present severe trauma. His study sought to establish the behavior of individuals in varied situations that include extreme and decent situations. Based on the findings, the researcher established that individuals are less active during extreme economic and social conditions since there joy is deprived by the prevailing events. However, the same individuals exhibit a high level of joy when in an excellent position or stable capacity. The study also depicted that individuals are more reactive when exposed extreme conditions and should not be engaged in violent discussions. Conclusion Indeed, ethical principles are significant elements that are essential in advancing the achievement of credible and reliable results in studies of a social nature. The guidelines hold the capacity to instill honesty in the coordination of research studies and advance confidentiality in handling collected information. This explains the imperativeness of adhering to the set ethical standards that hold the capacity of influencing the research outcome. Bibliography Ahmad, N. H., & Seet, P. (2010). Gender variations in ethical and socially responsible considerations among sme entrepreneurs in malaysia. International Journal of Business and Society, 11(1), 77-88,107-108. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/754912392?accountid= Guo, L. (2011). A research on influencing factors of consumer purchasing behaviors in cyberspace. International Journal of Marketing Studies, 3(3), 182-188. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/896551069?accountid=45049 Ismail, H. B., Panni, M. F. A. K., & Talukder, D. (2006). Consumer perception on the enviromental consumerism issue and its influence on their purchasing behavior. Allied Academies International Conference.Academy of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues.Proceedings, 10(2), 13-17. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/192409476?accountid=45049 Kirby, S. L., Greaves, L., & Reid, C. (2006). Experience research social change: methods beyond the mainstream. Peterborough, Ont, Garamond Press. Leathard, A. (2007). Ethics: contemporary challenges in health and social care. Bristol, UK, Policy Press. Schaubroeck, J., 1999. Should the subjective be the objective? On studying mental processes, coping behavior, and actual exposures in organizational stress research. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 20(5), pp. 753-760.11(1), 77-88,107-108. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/754912392?accountid=45049 Read More