ABSTRACT
Prior to, during and after their scholarly endeavours, researchers are expected to consider and address the ethical implications of their research for the participants and social worlds in question, and also such implications for themselves. For example, in the event that a research project poses a greater risk of harm than that which a person might encounter in his or her daily life, these risks must be managed by the researcher or the research cannot be conducted. Guiding principles for ethical research are that it should be designed and undertaken to ensure integrity, professionalism, quality and transparency. With significant caution against the use of covert and deceptive methods, the professional code holds fast that researchers must secure the consent of research participants. This consent must be voluntary, competent, informed and comprehending, and participants must be aware that they are free to withdraw from the research at any time without facing any repercussions. Participants must be made fully aware of what will happen to the data that they generate: where it will go and how their words and information will be used and disseminated. Other ethical issues that are central to the social researchers’ ethical code include privacy, exploitation and the avoidance of harm at any costs. Now, of course, there is a whole academic sub-discipline devoted to laying out ‘how to do ethical research’ and discussing just what ethics are in this context (see, for example, Hammersley and Traianou 2012).
