ABSTRACT
Equal opportunities aims to combat discrimination against disadvantaged groups and individuals. Professional bodies, such as the British Sociological Association, the British Psychological Society, and the Political Studies Association are producing guidelines for best professional practice on issues relating to equal opportunities, especially with respect to language and ethical research. Failure to do so may jeopardize the chances of obtaining a higher degree, not just because equal opportunities principles have been violated but because these principles provide guidelines for rigorous, unbiased professional research. The best principles of equal opportunities impinge upon research practice at each stage of the research process. However, in an equal opportunities framework, good practice includes two additional factors: the aims of the research; and the intended use of the results. This means that justification and destination also need to be addressed in any discussion of higher degree research.
