ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the ethical considerations needed when carrying out research in outdoor studies. It focuses on research that involves people and social conditions, provides an introductory overview of ethical considerations from a critical perspective, and also explores the implications of this critique and proposes alternative lenses to help guide future research. Outdoor studies, with links to experiential learning, lend itself to experiences that are spontaneous and novel, which are co-created in the moment. Clearance may not always be possible for carrying out research in outdoor studies unless organisations make provision for their own internal ethical review panels. Most notable was the Belmont Report, which became the primary ethical framework for protecting human subjects in the USA. The report should be available to all stakeholders in an accessible format, including details of the ethical decisions made, demonstrating the researcher's accountability as a considerate professional as well as adding transparency to the research report.
