Ethical issues

• Informed consent

  • Participants should be offered the right to refuse to be involved.
  • The researcher should tell them about the research so they can make an informed choice.
  • Consent should be obtained at the start of the research.
• Effects on participants

  • Researches should anticipate and prevent harm to participants.
• Vulnerable groups

  • Special care should be taken where participants are vulnerable because of their age, disability, physical or mental health.
• Covert research

  • When the researcher‘s identity is unknown to the participants. This can create serious ethical problems such as deception and lack of respect.
  • Covert research is justified in some cases.
• Confidentiality and privacy

  • Keep the identity of participants a secret to help prevent possible negative effects on them.
  • Respect privacy.
  • Keep personal information confidential.