Ethical Concern in Research | Business Research | Research 

Ethical Concern in Research

Ethics refers to those assumptions based on which a person decides anything as of right or wrong. Ethics also incorporates the procedures of analyzing complex problems. A researcher should decide which is wrong and right. Ethical issues are determined by the behaviour presented by the researcher and concern over the rights of the affected party while undertaking research work is known as ethical issues. If the behaviour presented by the researcher is out of the values and norms of research, then that is considered unethical behaviour. Such unethical behaviour puts pressure on the respondents. Therefore, the researcher should think about ethical issues before initiating research work. Research should consider the ethical issues while selecting a sample, collecting and analyzing data and preparation and presenting the report. A researcher should do the following works to be ethical:

1. Not putting pressure on to participants for getting information: 

Researchers should not give any physical, moral and other pressure to get essential information to the respondents. The researcher should not give pressure to provide such confidential information if respondents do not like to disclose such information. As well researcher should not give pressure on the respondents to provide personal information.

2. Not deception of participants: 

The researcher should give correct information to participants and show courtesy but should not give the wrong information. Such behaviour impacts adversely to research result Thus, the researcher should give freedom to the participants to give their opinion but should not give pressure to get the answer as expected.

3. Not fabricating the data: 

The researcher should not modify the fac and figures and information while developing the result as per the interest of the researcher. The researcher should present the figures and facts as it is in his/her report otherwise the value of research decreases.

4. Not presenting dishonesty: 

A researcher should show honesty while collecting data and information, selecting data analysis method and procedures and using them. As well, a researcher should show honesty while presenting information, data and the result in the report. The researcher should not modify the facts and their gist. Such dishonesty leads to misuse of respondents and reduces the worthiness of research.

5. No manipulation: 

A researcher should explain research design without prejudice. Conclusions drawn from the research should be presented as it is in the report. Whatever the information or feedbacks are received from the review, they are to be presented as it is.

6. No illegal work: 

A researcher should respect/follow all the related rules and regulations of the government and even the rules of the concerned organization. The researcher should consider the rules and regulations of those organization from which the data are collected to the current research work.

7. No discrimination: 

The researcher should not discriminate against the persons while collecting and analyzing data on the basis of caste, creed, sex, culture, religion, qualification, etc. Equal value is to be given to all respondents while collecting and analyzing data. Such work helps to develop accurate results.

8. Respect for intellectual property: 

The researcher should respect the intellectual property of the writer or researcher. Researchers should not use any materials, like collected data and document, without the prior permission of the concerned person. If it is used, the researcher shall show it in the reference or bibliography to present due acknowledgement. The use of other’s materials without acknowledging them is unethical to work.

9. Respect to social and cultural, norms and values: 

Every society has its own values and norms. Research should not harm to the culture, norms and values of individual and society while collecting and analyzing data. The researcher should respect the culture, norms and values of individual and society. Researcher should show neutrality while conducting research in the areas where there are diversified culture and social norms and values.

10. Protection of participants’ rights: 

Every participant has their own rights like the right of participating optionally; the right to get information in advance about research, the right to secrecy, etc. The researcher should not violate such rights of participants. The researcher should be careful and clever in the protection of the rights of participants.

The issue of ethics raises more in qualitative research. But the question of ethics is important in all sorts of research. Unethical work reduces the value of research results and sponsoring organizations. The researcher should inform about the consequences of unethical works and the provisions of rules and regulations so that he/she can understand the value of ethics and improve in the unethical activities. Ethical behaviour makes research work acceptable to all the concerned parties.