Learning Objectives
By the end of this reading, you will be able to:
Understand the core principles of ethical research
Identify common ethical issues in academic studies
Learn how to protect research participants
Prepare for ethical approval and informed consent
🧭 What Are Research Ethics?
Research ethics refer to the moral principles that guide how researchers conduct their work. It is not just red tape; it is the foundation of trustworthy science.
Ethical research is based on respect for human dignity, honesty, fairness, and responsibility.
Why It Matters
- Protect participants from harm
- Ensure credibility & integrity
- Gain public trust
- Avoid plagiarism & misconduct
- Comply with legal requirements
The 5 Core Principles
The pillars of ethical conduct in linguistics research
Informed Consent
- Voluntary agreement to participate.
- Fully informed about risks and rights.
- Must be written (signed/digital).
Confidentiality
- Protect personal data vigorously.
- Use pseudonyms/codes in reports.
- Secure storage (encryption/passwords).
Right to Withdraw
- No pressure to join.
- Free to leave at any time.
- No penalty for withdrawing.
Minimizing Harm
- Avoid physical/emotional harm.
- Protect vulnerable populations (minors, students).
Honesty & Integrity
- Report data truthfully (no fabrication).
- Acknowledge collaborators.
- Avoid plagiarism via proper citation.
- Use tools like Mendeley/Zotero correctly.
📋 Ethical Procedures Workflow
1. Ethical Approval
Submit proposal to institution’s ethics committee/supervisor before data collection.
2. Informed Consent Form
Prepare a document explaining study, rights, usage, and contact info.
3. Data Management Plan
Describe secure collection, storage, usage, and deletion methods.
4. Thesis Statement
Include an "Ethical Statement" in your methodology chapter.
⚠️ Unethical Research Practices
| Practice | Why It’s Unethical |
|---|---|
| Fabricating data | Misleads readers and invalidates the study. |
| Plagiarism | Stealing others' intellectual property. |
| Ignoring informed consent | Violates autonomy and legal responsibility. |
| Real names without permission | Breaches privacy and confidentiality. |
| Hiding conflicts of interest | May introduce bias and reduce trust. |
🧠 Reflection Questions
What ethical challenges might you face?
Consider power dynamics (teacher-student), sensitive topics, or potential data leaks.
How will you ensure data protection?
Think about password protection, cloud security, and when you will destroy the raw data.
Have you planned for informed consent?
Draft your consent form early. Ensure the language is simple enough for your participants to understand.
📄 Templates You May Need
- Sample Informed Consent Form
- Sample Ethics Approval Form
- Sample Ethical Statement
Download from Moodle Resources