Sociology – Paper 1 – Methods of research | e-Consult
Paper 1 – Methods of research (1 questions)
Login to see all questions.
Click on a question to view the answer
Key ethical considerations include:
- Informed consent: Participants must be fully aware of the study’s purpose, procedures, and any potential risks, and they must voluntarily agree to take part.
- Confidentiality and anonymity: Researchers must protect participants’ identities and personal data, especially where disclosure could cause harm or stigma.
- Minimising harm: The researcher should anticipate physical, psychological, or social risks and take steps to reduce them, including providing support resources if needed.
- Power dynamics: Awareness of the researcher’s positional power and its impact on participants, ensuring that vulnerable groups are not exploited.
- Right to withdraw: Participants should be able to leave the study at any point without penalty.
- Cultural sensitivity: Respect for local customs, values, and norms, avoiding ethnocentric judgments.
- Debriefing: Offering participants a clear explanation of the study’s findings and their role after data collection is complete.
Failure to address these considerations can undermine the validity of the research and cause lasting damage to participants and communities.