business research method， chapter 5.ppt

Chapter 5 Ethics in Business Research Learning Objectives Understand what issues are covered in research ethics the goal of “no harm” for all research activities and what constitutes no harm for participant, researcher, and research sponsor Learning Objectives differing ethical dilemmas and responsibilities of researchers, sponsors, and research assistants role of ethical codes of conduct in professional associations Types of Ethical Violations Procter Gamble Admits to competitive intelligence gathering Contracted BI firm took documents from Unilever trash receptacles Out-of-court settlement rumored (and reported) at $10m Ethical Approaches Ethical Approaches Ethical Codes of Conduct Exhibit 5-1 Ethical issues at all stages of the research process Ethical Treatment of Participants Components of Informed Consent Identify researchers Describe survey topic Describe target sample Identify sponsor Describe purpose of research Promise anonymity and confidentiality Give “good-faith” estimate of required time commitment State participation is voluntary State item-non response is acceptable Ask for permission Characteristics ofInformed Consent Ethical Responsibilities Special guidelines apply to children! Informed consent means parental approval Deception Debriefing Participant Confidentiality Right to Privacy Data Collection in Cyberspace The U.S. Safe Harbor Agreement Confidentiality What to do if coerced? Effective Codes of Ethics Key Terms Code of ethics Confidentiality Debriefing Deception Ethics Informed consent Nondisclosure Findings Purpose Sponsor Right to privacy Right to quality Right to safety All individuals have a right to privacy, and researchers must respect that right. Once a guarantee of confidentiality is given, protecting that confidentiality is essential. Researchers protect participant confidentiality in several ways. Obtaining signed nondisclosure documents – only researchers who have signed nondisclosure forms should be allowed access