By José Tulio Gálvez Contreras, Ph.D. Student in Public and Urban Policy
Research ethics is a very difficult topic to tackle because the word ethics in itself can be very subjective. In common terminology, ethics is defined as the set of moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior. But, when we talk about research ethics – especially policy research -- whose ethics do we speak about? Yours? Or mine? That in itself is a dilemma. As López asserts in his precis, it is almost impossible for researchers in the field of public policy to avoid considerable ethical dilemmas as they perform their studies. The first ethical dilemma the researcher faces is in situations when she must determine which course of action is best to follow. The second condition for ethical dilemma arises when there are different courses of action to choose from. Finally, no matter what course of action is taken, some ethical principle will be compromise. In other words, there is no per solution.
In my case, I am interested in research of gentrification. Particularly, I have curiosity to analyze how grassroots projects serve as catalysts to lessen the issues of gentrification. My personal ethics tell me that I must guarantee participants that I will perform the research in a holistic and ethical manner. The findings and the participants’ stories should not be altered nor skewed. I also must be clear that the aim of my study is designed to contribute to the expert findings of existing literature on gentrification. In that sense, I must be capable to unbiasedly inform policy that support grassroots revitalization initiatives in low status neighborhoods.
As I become a producer of knowledge, my belief is that my research project has great potential to go beyond and accomplish more from the already existing literature on gentrification has accomplished, as long as I am ethical about it. My study should only aim to introduce an alternative imaginary of urban renewal, opposing gentrification in favor of a model of self-gentrification. However, if the findings show otherwise, I must be able to fully report them. Additionally, my level of involvement will be very active. I have to immerse myself in the community that I study for a significant period of time. That way, I can accurately and properly meet the goals of the research.
Because I also understand that I will still face ethical dilemmas, I agree with Warwick and Pettigrew as they raise a make a good point when they favor guidelines in social science research in public policy. To their point, guidelines in policy research are particularly important for various reasons. Guidelines as are a set of practical suggestions for maintaining integrity in research. Not only do guidelines serve to fulfill a scientific moral code; they also lead to better scientific results. Adherence to ethical research guidelines leads to more attention to the details of social research, including qualitative analysis and quantitative and statistical techniques, as well as more thoughtful collaboration among investigators. Following guidelines shows credibility on the maintenance of the highest ethical standards in research. So in my case, first and foremost must protect privacy of human participants. I will ensure that research is conducted in a way that serves interests of individuals, groups and society as a whole. I will examine specific research activities and projects for their ethical soundness, looking at issues such as the management of risk, protection of confidentiality and the process of informed consent.
Research ethics is a very difficult topic to tackle because the word ethics in itself can be very subjective. In common terminology, ethics is defined as the set of moral principles that govern a person's or group's behavior. But, when we talk about research ethics – especially policy research -- whose ethics do we speak about? Yours? Or mine? That in itself is a dilemma. As López asserts in his precis, it is almost impossible for researchers in the field of public policy to avoid considerable ethical dilemmas as they perform their studies. The first ethical dilemma the researcher faces is in situations when she must determine which course of action is best to follow. The second condition for ethical dilemma arises when there are different courses of action to choose from. Finally, no matter what course of action is taken, some ethical principle will be compromise. In other words, there is no per solution.
In my case, I am interested in research of gentrification. Particularly, I have curiosity to analyze how grassroots projects serve as catalysts to lessen the issues of gentrification. My personal ethics tell me that I must guarantee participants that I will perform the research in a holistic and ethical manner. The findings and the participants’ stories should not be altered nor skewed. I also must be clear that the aim of my study is designed to contribute to the expert findings of existing literature on gentrification. In that sense, I must be capable to unbiasedly inform policy that support grassroots revitalization initiatives in low status neighborhoods.
As I become a producer of knowledge, my belief is that my research project has great potential to go beyond and accomplish more from the already existing literature on gentrification has accomplished, as long as I am ethical about it. My study should only aim to introduce an alternative imaginary of urban renewal, opposing gentrification in favor of a model of self-gentrification. However, if the findings show otherwise, I must be able to fully report them. Additionally, my level of involvement will be very active. I have to immerse myself in the community that I study for a significant period of time. That way, I can accurately and properly meet the goals of the research.
Because I also understand that I will still face ethical dilemmas, I agree with Warwick and Pettigrew as they raise a make a good point when they favor guidelines in social science research in public policy. To their point, guidelines in policy research are particularly important for various reasons. Guidelines as are a set of practical suggestions for maintaining integrity in research. Not only do guidelines serve to fulfill a scientific moral code; they also lead to better scientific results. Adherence to ethical research guidelines leads to more attention to the details of social research, including qualitative analysis and quantitative and statistical techniques, as well as more thoughtful collaboration among investigators. Following guidelines shows credibility on the maintenance of the highest ethical standards in research. So in my case, first and foremost must protect privacy of human participants. I will ensure that research is conducted in a way that serves interests of individuals, groups and society as a whole. I will examine specific research activities and projects for their ethical soundness, looking at issues such as the management of risk, protection of confidentiality and the process of informed consent.