ABSTRACT
The fact that the findings of sociological investigations are often eventually published and that this publication brings with it a variety of personal, ethical and professional problems has already received some attention in the literature. Vidich and Bensman have provided a dramatic illustration of how a community study is received by the ‘objects’ of that research,1 Fichter and Kolb have attempted to outline some of the ethical limitations on the reporting of sociological investigations 2 and, more recently, the British Sociological Association has been considering, among other matters of professional ethics, the various complex responsibilities of sociologists in the matters of publication and relationships with the press and the mass media.3 Informal discussion with other sociologists has convinced me that this is a major source of concern within the discipline and many individuals appear to know of at least one story of unfortunate ‘leaks’ or misrepresentation.4
