ABSTRACT
In the formulation, design, conduct and dissemination of social research the research manager will face ethical choices or dilemmas, which will need to be addressed and resolved. There has been a recent upsurge of interest and a flurry of activity regarding ethics in research driven by two major concerns. The first relates to developments in the changing nature and growing complexity of social research, which poses new challenges. The second relates to concerns about procedures for vetting, approving and overseeing research and whether appropriate frameworks with sufficient responsibilities, powers and accountability are in place to regulate activity. One general principle being that research should be undertaken for the benefit of society. Relationships with funders involve mutual responsibilities. Funders have obligations to researchers, especially, it might be argued, those that dispense public funds. The researcher's obligations to employers are broadly similar to their obligations to funders, namely to respect their contractual relationship.
