SEP3707 ASSESSMENT 2 SEMESTER 2 2026
QUESTION 1: Ethical Principles from Unisa's Policy on Research Ethics
1.1 Informed and Non-coerced Consent
According to the Unisa Ethics Policy, informed and non-coerced consent means that
people must agree to participate in research freely and with full understanding of what
the research involves. This principle respects people's independence and right to make
their own choices. Participants must volunteer without any pressure, force, or tricks.
Before agreeing, they must be clearly told about the research purpose, what they will be
asked to do, how long it will take, and any risks involved.
Participants have the right to stop taking part at any time without giving a reason or
facing negative consequences. Usually, participants should sign a consent form after
receiving written information, and if someone cannot read or write, a witness can
confirm they understood and agreed. For the study on elderly robbery victims,
researchers must use simple, clear language and confirm that participation is entirely
voluntary, with participants knowing they can stop at any time (Unisa Ethics Policy,
2016).
, 1.2 Non-maleficence
Non-maleficence means "do no harm." According to the Unisa Ethics Policy, research
should not cause harm to participants or to people in general. Researchers must think
carefully about what could go wrong and plan how to prevent problems. Steps must be
taken to protect participants from physical, psychological, or emotional harm. If a
participant does experience harm during the research, this must be reported
immediately and the participant should receive appropriate help, such as counselling.
For the study on elderly robbery victims, researchers must be very careful not to make
participants relive their traumatic experiences in a harmful way. Interviewers should be
trained to notice signs of distress and stop interviews if participants become upset, and
counselling support should be available (Unisa Ethics Policy, 2016).
1.3 Beneficence
Beneficence means that research should make a positive contribution to people's
welfare. According to the Unisa Ethics Policy, research must be carried out for the
benefit of society and with the goal of maximising public interest and social justice. The
good that comes from the research must be greater than any potential harm.
Researchers should make their results available to the public and especially to the
communities they studied, and communities involved in research should receive
feedback and benefit from the findings.
The study on elderly robbery victims clearly serves a beneficial purpose by aiming to
understand how elderly victims experience robbery and what support they receive, so
that recommendations can be made to improve victim support services. The findings
could help the police, community organisations, and support services do a better job of
helping elderly crime victims (Unisa Ethics Policy, 2016).
1.4 Privacy, Anonymity and Confidentiality
QUESTION 1: Ethical Principles from Unisa's Policy on Research Ethics
1.1 Informed and Non-coerced Consent
According to the Unisa Ethics Policy, informed and non-coerced consent means that
people must agree to participate in research freely and with full understanding of what
the research involves. This principle respects people's independence and right to make
their own choices. Participants must volunteer without any pressure, force, or tricks.
Before agreeing, they must be clearly told about the research purpose, what they will be
asked to do, how long it will take, and any risks involved.
Participants have the right to stop taking part at any time without giving a reason or
facing negative consequences. Usually, participants should sign a consent form after
receiving written information, and if someone cannot read or write, a witness can
confirm they understood and agreed. For the study on elderly robbery victims,
researchers must use simple, clear language and confirm that participation is entirely
voluntary, with participants knowing they can stop at any time (Unisa Ethics Policy,
2016).
, 1.2 Non-maleficence
Non-maleficence means "do no harm." According to the Unisa Ethics Policy, research
should not cause harm to participants or to people in general. Researchers must think
carefully about what could go wrong and plan how to prevent problems. Steps must be
taken to protect participants from physical, psychological, or emotional harm. If a
participant does experience harm during the research, this must be reported
immediately and the participant should receive appropriate help, such as counselling.
For the study on elderly robbery victims, researchers must be very careful not to make
participants relive their traumatic experiences in a harmful way. Interviewers should be
trained to notice signs of distress and stop interviews if participants become upset, and
counselling support should be available (Unisa Ethics Policy, 2016).
1.3 Beneficence
Beneficence means that research should make a positive contribution to people's
welfare. According to the Unisa Ethics Policy, research must be carried out for the
benefit of society and with the goal of maximising public interest and social justice. The
good that comes from the research must be greater than any potential harm.
Researchers should make their results available to the public and especially to the
communities they studied, and communities involved in research should receive
feedback and benefit from the findings.
The study on elderly robbery victims clearly serves a beneficial purpose by aiming to
understand how elderly victims experience robbery and what support they receive, so
that recommendations can be made to improve victim support services. The findings
could help the police, community organisations, and support services do a better job of
helping elderly crime victims (Unisa Ethics Policy, 2016).
1.4 Privacy, Anonymity and Confidentiality
