Module 4, Session 1: Ethics in Research

[Hellen wafula Kamwele]

#5914

The ethical considerations that are pertinent in social sciences are varied and includes being granted consent to carry out research by the ethics committee which is a rigorous process. When in the field, its important to seek consent before carrying out the interview, explain the purpose of the study, ensure confidentiality of data collected and the person interviewed.
When data collection involves taking of photographs, permission has to be sought and granted before doing so. However, the issue of declaring finances is not stressed so much by supervisors.
Safe custody of data is equally important as once in a while one is challenged on specific findings that one has to have data to fall back as evidence.
Ethical considerations can be nurtured to students through lectures in class, seminars and workshops.

[Bimbo Fafowora]

#5930

Ethical issues that are pertinent in the field of Journalism and Media studies research range from plagiarism at any stage of the research writing process, to autonomy in situations in which the research requires human participants. Some research in my field of study also requires that the participants are granted anonymity.

To nurture ethical responsibility in our students, we as supervisors need to make our students understand the need and importance of ethical research. Students can be introduced to resources that teach about research ethics or encouraged to enrol on seminars and workshops to expand their knowledge of the subject matter.

The process for obtaining ethical clearance at my institution commences at the early stage fo the research. A student is expected to apply for the institutional ethical clearance approval immediately after their proposal has been accepted. They are expected to provide details about the research in the ethics application. The required information includes the type or nature of research, method of data collection, location of data collection, number of participants, data processing and storage methods, the potential impact of the study on the participants and how the researcher intends to ameliorate this. Approval to conduct research is granted after all of these and every piece of information required of the students has been perused to the satisfaction of the ethics committee.

[Kabahima James Justus Kamukama]

#5936

Glad to get reminded of this positionality. Its that important to be aware of it as we support students as well.

[Kabahima James Justus Kamukama]

#5937

I appreciate the connection between paradigms and the ethical principles. Thank you Professor for elaboration

[Lilian Diana Awuor Wanzare]

#5943

In the field of computing and artificial intelligence, ethical issues are pertinent and have to be considered. Issues of data storage and privacy and anonymity, written consent when obtaining data for building intelligent systems, issues of inclusivity and reducing bias is models.
There are also emerging issues in AI and law, in terms of when a system has an error that could possibly lead to loss of life, who is to blame?
Other social and economic ethical issues include job loss die to adoption of systems.

[Wangamati Murumba]

#5969

Inititial stages of the background to a research question and subsequent literature review tend to tempt students to plagiarise works of authorities. Maybe they act this way as a way to complete their proposals in the shortest time ever! Eventually, the drama begins when their work is Turnitin and they have to re-write what is plagiarred. Students need to re-learn the basic values and virtues of honesty and truthfulness since at master’s and PhD levels, their work is ostensibly independent.

[Tinyiko Nkuna]

#5978

I think it important to make sure that whenever one is conceptualising a study, they need to consider ethical issues first. I have noticed that some people consider that ethical issues deal with the impact on humans, animals and the environment. However, even studies that require the use of historical data for computational and other analytical studies do require ethical clearance. This I think will minimise the negative impact that the study will have indirectly on humans.

[Zahda Yazid]

#5990

My research involved interviewing people who occupied high positions in their government, and for that reason, they were very cautious as to what to say in the interviews. For me, it was extremely important on the ethical level to ensure that they remain anonymous if they wish to, and for those who agreed to have their names cited, they would still have the chance to read the part/s of the research where they are mentioned so as to avoid any inconveniences that would compromise their job positions or personal safety.

Ethics in doing research need to be taken seriously by academic institutions; they should provide potential researchers with the right tools to ensure that humans, animals, and the environment are not exposed to harm during and/or after the researcher has accomplished their task/s. Raising researchers’ awareness of the ethical implications of doing research is as important as, if not more important than, the research project itself.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 1 month ago by Zahda Yazid.

[Rose Burugu]

#6041

Ethical considerations are pertinent in social sciences and particularly, we are concerned about: receiving consent from the participants; reporting data as received and not changing the respondents ideas; citing or acknowledging other authors work and also one must be keen on how this knowledge is used.

In order to nurture ethical responsibility, students must be taught on the basic principles of adhering to ethical standards. There must be stages of approving the work to ensure the ethics committee is satisfied that the work meets expected thresholds set. In my institutions the graduate committees at different levels have been mandated to ensure candidates adhere to set regulations.

[Rose Burugu]

#6042

Ethical considerations are pertinent in social sciences and particularly, we are concerned about: receiving consent from the participants; reporting data as received and not changing the respondents ideas; citing or acknowledging other authors work and also one must be keen on how this knowledge is used.

In order to nurture ethical responsibility, students must be taught on the basic principles of adhering to ethical standards. There must be stages of approving the work to ensure the ethics committee is satisfied that the work meets expected thresholds set. In my institutions the graduate committees at different levels have been mandated to ensure candidates adhere to set regulations.

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