ABSTRACT
Ethical questions are the subject of interdisciplinary discussions and debates. Philosophers have examined abstract concepts, while sociologists and psychologists have focused on extreme cases and research ‘scandals’ in the course of locating ethical issues in their research experience. In these circumstances, we might expect philosophers, sociologists and psychologists involved in the study of education to bring together their expertise to focus on ethical questions in educational research. Yet a brief glance at the research literature and research studies reveals that this topic is absent from debate. Apart from a collection of essays edited by Adelman (1984) there are few examples of educational researchers discussing the ethical questions associated with their research experience. While it might be argued there are few scandals in educational research (or scandals that become public) it is difficult for researchers to deny that ethical, moral and political questions do not surround their day to day experience of education and educational research.
