Inclusion researchers, and those undertaking research on behalf of Inclusion, endeavour to balance legislative requirements on individual human rights and data protection with responsibility to research commissioners (funders) and the wider impact to society resulting from research.All researchers working for Inclusion have an understanding of the Sociological Research Association Ethical guidelines, the Market Research Society Code of Conduct and the European Union’s Respect Code. We aim to adhere to the following set of five core principles:
- Uphold professional integrity without fear or favour
- Safeguard the interests of those involved in or affected by our research
- Safeguard privileged information
- Acknowledge the limitations of our competence
- Engage in dynamic ethical decision making
Uphold professional integrity without fear or favour
Inclusion researchers have a responsibility to conduct themselves in a professional manner, at all times, to respect the privacy of individuals and institutions, and to not place themselves under personal obligation to clientsInclusion researchers are required to:
- Report findings accurately and truthfully by ensuring factual accuracy and avoiding misrepresentation, fabrication, suppression or misinterpretation of data
- Not engage or collude in selecting methods designed to produce misleading results, or in misrepresenting findings by commission or omission
- Ensure that research results are disseminated responsibly and in a language that is appropriate and accessible to individuals and groups that were involved in the research
- Maintain appropriate professional behaviour that is shared amongst the professional research community (as set out in SRA and MRS guidelines)
- Maintain clear and balanced relationships with and commitments to clients and/or employers. These should not compromise a commitment to morality
- Maintain high standards in the methods employed in the collection and analysis of data and the impartial assessment and dissemination of findings
- Ensure integrity and quality in the design and undertaking of research
- Declare any conflicts of interests
Safeguard the interests of those involved in or affected by our research
Inclusion researchers have a responsibility to demonstrate respect for and to consider the rights and requirements of all research participants. The socio-economic and cultural impact of all aspects of the research process on participants and their respective families and communities are considered and balanced with other research related obligations. While ensuring their own safety as individuals and protecting themselves from harm, Inclusion researchers should endeavour to:
- Ensure that research is commissioned and conducted with respect for all groups in society regardless of race, ethnicity, disability, gender and age and with respect for and awareness of culture, religion/faith and sexual orientation and other significant social differences
- Respect individual social, cultural and role differences, including education, socio-economic status, language, national origin or immigrant status, marital or family status
- Respect the knowledge, insight, experience and expertise of research participants, clients, and all relevant third parties
- Avoid practices that are unfair or prejudiced
- Ensure that research participants are protected from undue intrusion, distress, indignity, physical discomfort, personal embarrassment or psychological or other harm
- Ensure that the research process does not involve unwarranted material gain or loss for any participant
Informed Consent
Inclusion researchers are required to ensure that participants are informed of the aims and objectives of the research at the point of recruitment and prior to commencement of the fieldwork. In addition, Inclusion endeavours to provide information about the research in accessible formats with consideration for the linguistic and access needs of participants. Participant consent records are stored based on guidelines developed according to the Data Protection Act 1998, and Inclusion works to ensure that participants:
- Are informed from the first contact that they may decline to answer any questions put to them or to participate in the research process
- Know that they are able to withdraw from the research at any point
- Do not feel compelled to participate and their involvement is voluntary and on the basis of informed consent
- Are protected from undue intrusion, distress, indignity, physical discomfort, personal embarrassment or psychological or other harm
Working with vulnerable and sensitive groups
Inclusion has particular protocols for undertaking research with vulnerable and sensitive groups including young people and children.The vulnerability of potential research participants is considered at the outset of each project as “vulnerability” of individuals and groups may vary based on context, time and place. Researchers working with particular vulnerable groups undergo a Criminal Records Bureau check and the vulnerability of potential participants is considered with special care being taken to protect their interests and rights. Staff training ensures that researchers are sensitive to cultural, religious, gender, health and other issues in the research population when undertaking their work.When working with vulnerable and sensitive groups Inclusion researchers aim to:
- Take special care to protect the interests of children, young people, those with mental health issues, those with disabilities and learning difficulties, the elderly and other vulnerable groups.
- Make special arrangements for participants with diminished capacity or when a person’s understanding is limited due to age or learning difficulties
Participation of children and young people in research
We acknowledge that there are specific issues arising from children and young people’s status that require attention in order to ensure appropriate consent and participation. Inclusion provides in-house training to enable researchers to respond to children’s and young people’s needs as research participants. More specifically when the participation of children and young people below the age of consent is required, Inclusion researchers endeavour to:
- Anticipate possible consequences for children and young people involved and do not proceed unless appropriate responses to potentially harmful consequences can be provided and the safety and security of children and young people can be assured
- Obtain agreement to participate from children and young people as well as from their parents/guardians
- Make sure that children and young people know they can stop or withdraw from the research at any time
- Provide children and young people and their parents or guardians with information about the activity in a manner appropriate to their culture and education
Safeguard privileged information: confidentiality and data protection
Data protection and storing confidential information
Inclusion complies with the Data Protection Act 1998 and our Data Protection Policy provides clear guidelines for collection and storage of confidential data (see F:\Central Services\Human resources\Inclusion Staff Handbook\Data Protection). Inclusion researchers comply with requests by clients who are withdrawing their participation from research, to destroy any data relating to the client (such as recordings, notes, survey responses). A rolling training programme ensures that all staff are aware of their responsibilities under the Data Protection Act 1998, both in relation to data storage and information sharing.
Breaching confidentiality
Inclusion researchers understand that there may, under exceptional circumstances, be a need for restrict breaches of confidentiality. These breaches of confidentiality may occur only if there appears sufficient evidence to raise serious concern about:
- the safety of clients
- the safety of other persons who may be endangered by the client’s behaviour
- the health, welfare or safety of children or vulnerable adults
Inclusion researchers will breach confidentiality if a child or young person is considered to require immediate protection, particularly, if it is discovered that they:
- are being subject to abuse or neglect
- are self-harming or threatening self-harm
Acknowledge the limitations of our competence
Inclusion researchers are trained to address and acknowledge the limitations of a research project and methodological considerations are discussed at the design stage.We provide adequate information, within the limits of confidentiality, to research colleagues about our methods to ensure methodology and findings are open for discussion and peer review.
We take into account research that challenges our own results, and acknowledge fully any debts to previous research as sources of knowledge, conceptual understandings, data and methodology.
Engage in Dynamic Ethical Decision making
Inclusion researchers understand that ethical dilemmas may arise at any stage of a research project.We accept the responsibility to engage in a process combining reflection, supervision and consultation in order to adequately and appropriately resolve such ethical dilemmas. Inclusion researchers are expected to discuss and analyse possible contradictions that exist between legal obligations, ethical principles and professional roles by engaging in a process by which they:
- identify relevant issues
- reflect upon established principles, values, and standards
- seek supervision or peer review
- develop, if the situation so requires, an alternative course of action
- analyse the advantages and disadvantages of various courses of action for those likely to be affected, allowing for different perspectives and cultures
- evaluate and record outcomes to inform future ethical decision making
- justify actions on ethical grounds
- clarify in advance the respective obligations of employer or client and social researcher
Responsibility for ethical decision making at Inclusion
For each project, the project Director and project manager both hold responsibility for leading an assessment of the specific ethical requirements of the research with the project team and for providing continual guidance on ethnical issues to the project team.The project team is involved in identifying appropriate measures to ensure that the research adheres to Inclusion’s ethical guidelines. Responsibility for implementation of ethical standards sits with the project manager.
Sources
European Union: RESPECT Code of Practice for Socio-Economic Research, 2003, 2004 http://www.respectproject.org/code/respect_code.pdf
The British Psychological Society Code of Ethics and Conduct, March 2006.http://www.bps.org.uk/downloadfile.cfm?file_uuid=5084A882-1143-DFD0-7E6C-F1938A65C242&ext=pdf
Social Research Association Ethical Guidelines, December 2003. http://www.the-sra.org.uk/ethical.htm
Market Research Society Code of Conduct http://www.mrs.org.uk/standards/codeconduct.htm
Ethical Approaches to Gathering Information from Children and Adults in International Settings, 2005. http://www.infoforhealth.org/youthwg/PDFs/FHI/childrenethics.pdf
