Kent Lapeceros 3/21/19

BSME – LP 4

Presentation

This relates to how you present yourself in the role of the researcher which might influence the
attitude and expectations of the people you involve in your project. Student-researchers should present
themselves as just that, and give the correct impression that they are doing the research as an academic
exercise which does not have the institutional or political backing to cause immediate action.

The research situation can also be influential. Stopping people in the street and asking a few
standardized questions will not raise any expectations about actions, but if you spend a lot of time with
a, perhaps lonely, old person delving into her personal history, the more intimate situation might give
rise to a more personal relationship that could go beyond the simple research context.

Dealing with Participants

You should treat participants with due ethical consideration, in the way you choose them, deal
with them personally and how you use the information they provide. In many cases, participants choose
freely whether to take part in a survey by simply responding to the form or not. Pressure might be
exerted on participants if they are left too little time for due consideration which might also result in
them regretting taking part. Obviously, you should avoid dishonest means of persuasion, such as posing
as an official, making unrealistic and untrue promises, being unduly persistent and targeting people in
vulnerable situations.

Participants will decide whether to take part according to the information they receive about
the research. The form that this information takes will depend on the type of person, the nature of the
research process and the context. Questionnaires should always provide the necessary written
information as an introduction. Participants must have the right to terminate their participation at any
time.

CARRYING OUT THE RESEARCH

Potential Harm and Gain

The principle behind ethical research is to cause no harm and, if possible, to produce some gain
for the participants in the project and the wider field. Therefore the researcher should assess the
potential of the chosen research methods and their outcomes for causing harm or gain. This involves
recognizing what the risks might be and choosing methods that minimize these risks, and avoiding
making any revelations that could in any way be harmful to the reputation, dignity or privacy of the
subjects.

Reference: Walliman, N. (2011). Research Methods The Basics. 270 Madison Avenue, New York, NY
10016: Routledge