The Ethical Considerations That Are Inherent in the Research Process - Essay Example

Introduction This paper is a synoptic essay that examines important elements and components of research. The paper focuses on the ethical considerations that are inherent in the research process. To this end, the paper would look at some universal elements of politics and international relations which define the important ethical considerations that a researcher must integrate into the research process and be sensitive to. Critique of Ethics In simple terms, ethics are the principles, norms and standard of conduct governing an individual or group1. This means that ethics are the rules and norms and conventions that govern a set of actions by groups and organizations. Ethics allows an individual to act in a way and manner that satisfy all the needs and expectations of stakeholders2. The implication of ethics is that it provides a framework of conduct which integrates all the views and needs of all classes of stakeholders. Ethics guides the conduct and ensure that what all affected persons expect are done in the right way and manner. International Relations/Politics Research A research in international relations is meant to provide a systematic enquiry into a given topic or subject3. This means that in international relations and politics, research might be conducted by way of using systematic methods and approaches to look into a given matter or problem. This provides a reliable and credible conclusion which would be used to make further decisions or formulate an opinion of a matter. Jonker and Pennick identify that in order to carry out a systematic research in international relations and politics, a real life problem needs to be examined and critiqued by the researcher. Through the research problem, the researcher would be able to formulate practical research questions and define a methodology or the completion of the research. However, there are some risks in taking up research which could harm the credibility or the reliability of the results and findings. This is because when people perceive that there are some structural issues or inappropriateness in conducting the research, the findings would not be taken seriously and it would not be ideal to rely on the information for decision making. Importance of Ethical Considerations in Research into International Relations There are many important elements and structures of ethics and ethical consideration in international relations this ranges from a number of situations and elements that need attention. Ethics define the scope of research and the analysis of information in the field of international relations and politics. They are used to provide the framework for the operation of research work and research activities. These structures guide and provide a framework for an argument for these ethics to be respected and regarded. Each one of them would be examined below. Respect for all Participants In order to carry out a meaningful research, it is important for the needs and expectations of all participants to be noted and respected4. A research cannot be conducted for just one group of people in order to satisfy a given end only. In March 2013, most media outlets relaunched an enquiry into the events before the US invasion of Iraq in 2003. This was to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the event. From the results and views of people who were interviewed, it seems that the research that led to the conclusion that Iraq had nuclear bombs was faltered and wrong. Many media outlets and outspoken critics of the war argue that the research into the Iraqi nuclear situation was unbalanced and hence there was a bias in the war. This war led to the killing of hundreds of thousands of people. This is all attributed to a research that was not conducted with objectivity or with consideration of the bigger picture. Hence, ethics are important to prevent the occurrence of such situations in the future. Ethical Considerations & the Adequacy of Information Every research needs to have enough information and standards that would enable the research to be meaningful to all parties involved. In this case, there is a strong argument for the promotion of ethical consideration to provide the guidelines of what level of information is needed in political or international relations research. Hence, ethical consideration provide the de minimis of information that is needed to complete a credible research. An example in this situation is the case where a researcher might have information that might limit the view of the wider situation. Thus, in a conflict like the Arab-Israeli conflict, it is very common for players in international relations and politics to take information from just one side. There are cases where radical Israeli experts only gather information only from the Israeli side without any information from the Arab world. There are also cases where the Iranian media captures information only from the Arab side of the divide without consideration for the Israeli side or the historic perspective. Thus, ethics makes it imperative for researchers to look at the bigger picture rather than limit their scope. Ethical Consideration Helps to Address Critical Issues Ethical consideration enables a researcher in international matters to get the impetus to address critical issues. It compels a researcher to look at all the relevant information and factors and come up with solutions and answers to critical matters and questions. This prevents an unbalanced system of addressing matters and issues. Thus, in any research quest, the researcher would have to examine important matters and factors that are relevant to the research and the corresponding study. Ethical Consideration prevents Coercion Since there is so much politics and interest groups, the use of ethics provide a standardized and scientific background for studies and research into matters. Due to this, the political actors can be prevented from wielding their influence and forcing parties in a research to go in their favour. In other words, ethics provide a strong framework for the conduct of research in a way that it would not be biased or unbalanced. Researchers must always strive for a stated and given scientific end into a given matter or situation. For instance, if a researcher or a think tank is carrying out a study into a keenly contested matter like a religious issue or a matter that indicts a major figure, that individual might be at risk. However, if s/he argues on the premise that he is following ethics in the matter, he is likely to get some degree of credibility and he can effect social change because of his position on the matter. Freedom from Undue Social Restrictions In other situations there are social restrictions and limitations. The use of ethics enables those limits to be removed and allow a researcher to conduct the research and study in a way and manner that is respectable and acceptable universally. The use of ethics gives the researcher an argument to breach the traditional limitations and frontiers in the research and study. Gaining Consent and Protection of Participants Seeking participants in a research comes with some limitations like fear and other risks. Ethics provide a way of guaranteeing these respondents some kind of protection and guidance. This include principles like confidentiality and integrity on the part of the researcher. This allows research in international relations to be fair and more meaningful. Without these limits to research and information flow, there would be a major limitation in research in the field in question. Professional Integrity Every profession has ethics and standards. The international relations profession is no different. It has important ethics and guidance rules which makes it imperative for researcher to follow some pattern that honours and adds up to the reputation of the profession. Thus, the adherence to ethical considerations adds up tot he professionalism of a given research in the international relations unit. This goes a long way to help the profession and guarantees the respect and reputation of other practitioners in the international relations and political professions. In real life, the different professions like doctors, accountants and lawyers have ethics and rules that guide their conduct. Most of these rules are based on commonalities like truthfulness and fairness. So for International Relations and Politics to be a part of such a family of professions, it would need to also uphold such universal values of integrity and truthfulness. This can only be done through ethical considerations and principles. Neutrality and Objectivity Ethics in research helps a research to eliminate biases5. Most researchers might have inclinations and desires. Since researchers are human they might be sympathetic to one cause or the other. Thus, they are likely to have an expectation for a given research. However, if there are ethical considerations, researchers are forced to be neutral and not take stands in any matter they are researching. They go ahead with a neutral mind and do the research objectively. Hence there is a good argument for the use of research ethics as a guideline to help people to remain neutral and independent in research. Standardisation and Objectivity Ethics allows a researcher to use a standardised approach to do things6. This promotes consistency and enhances the effects of a given researchers drive. It removes so many possibilities for different approaches. Conclusion Ethics guide the way a given person conducts its activities. In the field of research ethics enables a researcher to consider the bigger picture and not just a small section of the research or study. It sets a standard for the researcher and encourages a deep and thorough study of a matter through a systematic approach. Bibliography Elliot, D. and Stern, J. E. Research Ethics: A Reader. (Pennsylvania: UPNE, 2011) Johnson, M. and Long, T. Research Ethics (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons Publishing) Jonker, J and Pennick, B. W. J. The Essence of Research Methodology (London: Springer, 2010) Trevino, L. K, Nelson, K. A. Managing Ethics. (Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons Publishing, 2011) Walsh, M. and Wigens, L. Introduction to Research (London: Nelson Thomas, 2009) Weiss, K. W. Ethics: A Stakeholder and Issue Management Approach (Mason, OH: Cengage, 2011) Read More