Research Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Research Ethics - Essay Example The respondent may find themselves manipulated into saying more than they intended. The onus must lie with researchers to establish their own ethical code in such matters. (Ball, 1991, p. 181) Ethics in research has become a part of every scientific research project, whether politically or morally motivated. Educational research is no exception. However, the model it has been based on may be in need of serious review in order to more effectively guard against not only unethical practice but of inappropriately applied standards. For the past several centuries, medical models of ethics have been used as a general guideline for ethical standards in many professions, including education. This is no surprise since over time science and medicine have provided a substantial body of literature on the subject over the course of several successful and unsuccessful attempts as ethical research behavior. â€Å"The more notorious accounts of unethical research practice are found in medicine, as indeed are the most notorious recent instances of scientific fraud. And for a philosophical contribution, there is the discipline of bioethics.† (Small, 1998, p. 103) But what is ethical behavior? One dictionary defines ethical behavior as conforming to the standards of conduct of a given profession or group. What researchers consider being ethical, therefore, is often largely a matter of agreement among them. (Wallen & Fraenkel, 2001) Ethics has to do with standards set by the profession and regulation of its members conduct. In everyday application, it involves not a philosophical examination of values but recognition of agreed standards. Therefore, there may be tension between personal moral standards and the ethical norms of a profession (Kfir & Shamai, 2002) There is always a give and take between the three fundamental rights of the various constituents involved in all research. First are the