ABSTRACT
Given the ethical turn in applied linguistics (De Costa, 2014, 2015, 2016) and growing calls for more training in relation to the conduct of ethical research practices (Sterling & Gass, 2017), this chapter traces the development of discussions about ethics in our field and how they have evolved beyond merely adhering to the core principles of (1) respect for persons, (2) yielding optimal benefits while minimizing harm and (3) justice. Making a distinction between macro-ethics and micro-ethics, we also analyze seminal relevant publications before going on to address how ethical tensions can be addressed before, during and after the data-collection process in four subfields of applied linguistics: second language acquisition, assessment, literacy and sociolinguistics. The chapter closes with recommendations about how to ensure an ethical treatment of various stakeholders including research participants, students and co-researchers, can be observed.
