People Studying People – Online Course
Explore the value of ethical thinking for research, using an ethical appraisal framework to develop and evaluate studies.
Who is the course for?
This course is designed for current or aspiring researchers in Social Science, Arts or the Humanities. You may have a research project in mind or one that is underway. It would also suit those with broader interests in evaluating research involving human participants, including those as potential participants.
What topics will you cover?
The importance of ethical thinking to studying society
What constitutes unethical research
What makes research worthwhile
What a researcher can do to maximise the benefits of a study
What is responsible research
Which legislation and regulations researchers should consider
What is respectful research
Showing sensitivity, empathy and protecting vulnerable groups in research
Ethical issues associated with ‘insider’ and ‘outsider’ researcher roles
How researchers can feel confident that they are ‘doing the right thing’
Maintaining ethicality during fieldwork
Maintaining ethicality when reporting and disseminating
Practical applications of ethical thinking to support research
What will you achieve?
By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to…
Reflect on the value of thinking ethically about social science research
Apply consequential principles of ethical thinking to identifying a research focus
Identify the range of responsibilities of a social science researcher
Explore approaches to developing respectful research relationships
Apply deontological principles of ethical thinking to meeting researcher obligations
Develop informed decisions about what constitutes ethical social science research