Research Ethics Overview

Research Ethics Overview

The ethical problems of doing scientific research should not be overlooked. Considering ethical problems is vital for doing any research project. There are many important ethical concerns in the research process, including why research must be ethical, general ethical theories, ethical principles, specific ethical problems, and ethics in data analysis and reporting.

Since most mass media research involves human beings, researchers must not violate the rights of participants. Ethical research is the right thing to do.

Three general types of theories are discussed that have evolved concerning ethics:

1) rule-based or deontological theories (based off categorical imperatives – principles that define appropriate action in any and all situations; Golden Rule: moral duty),
2) balancing or teleological theories (based on notion of utilitarianism; the good that may come from an action is weighed against or balanced against possible harm. The end may justify the means). , and

3) relativistic theories (no 'absolute' right or wrong way of behaving; ethical decisions are determined by cultural norms; everything is relative).


There are four relevant ethical principles:
1) autonomy or self-determination,
2) nonmaleficence,
3) beneficence, and
4) justice.

Autonomy suggests that researchers should respect the rights, values, and decisions of other people. As a way to guarantee this principle, researchers in mass media use informed consent.

Nonmaleficence means that it is wrong to intentionally inflict harm on others, while beneficence stipulates that a researcher should remove any existing harm and provide benefits to others.

Justice is related to the equal rights of participants, suggesting that participants should be treated equally and all benefits should be shared with all who are qualified.

Ethical issues to be concerned with when it comes to research include:

1) voluntary participation,
2) informed consent,
3) concealment,
4) deception, and
5) protection of privacy.

Research participation should be a voluntary process and informed consent provides information to the participants to aid them in making a choice. The researcher should warn of any possible discomfort or unpleasantness in the research process and obtain the consent form from the participants.

Concealment involves the withholding of certain information from the participants. Deception is intentionally providing false information. Although there are arguments concerning the pros and cons of both practices, these two techniques should not be used indiscriminately.

Researchers can use two ways to protect the privacy of participants: a promise of anonymity or confidentiality. Researchers are responsible for having a moral and ethical obligation in data analysis and reporting. Questionnaire responses and experimental observations should not be fabricated, altered, or discarded.

Online research raises special ethical problems. Passive analysis of online content generally raises fewer ethical issues than does active research where the investigator tries to gather information directly from online users.