Ethical research, according to Weerakkody (2008) is ensuring “the researcher is ‘doing the right thing’ by the project, its participants and society at large.” Formal ethical guidelines have been established by organisations as individuals can have opposing opinions of what is ‘right’ or ‘wrong’. These guidelines are based on many aspects including the political system, the discipline or trade and religion (Weerakkody, 2008).
In most cases, research includes gathering the demographics of individuals’ (age, sex, income). It is important that each participant is made aware of what his or her answers will be used for and the main aim of the research so that they are comfortable and therefore can give their consent for their details to be used.
Due to privacy rights and laws constantly developing and becoming stricter, it is important for a researcher to understand ethical research behaviour with particular reference to photographic material of participants. Photos can expose a person’s identity and share intimate information with whoever views them.
Not only can unethical research effect participants, making them feel alienated and betrayed, it can also impact greatly on a researchers reputation. Effected participants will more than likely share their experience with others and in turn could limit the amount of people willing to participate in future research projects for that researcher.
There is a fine line between what is and isn’t considered an invasion of privacy. For example, according to UK law, photos can be taken of a person if they are in a public space, however the European Convention of Human Rights believes that photographing a person in a place or situation that privacy is expected, could be considered an invasion of privacy (Tinkler, 2013).
REFERENCES
Tinkler, P 2013, ‘Ethical issues and legalities’, Using photographs in social and historical research, SAGE, London, pp. 195-208
Weerakkody, N D 2008, ‘Research ethics in media and communication’, Research methods for media and communications, Oxford University Press Australia and New Zealand, South Melbourne, Victoria, pp. 73-91
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