IRM1501
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Detailed Solutions, References & Explanations
Unique number: 826977
Due Date: 19 March 2025
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
QUESTION 1 (2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Ethical Principles in Research and South African Legal Examples
Ethical principles are the foundation of responsible research practices, ensuring that
studies involving human participants are conducted with fairness, respect, and
integrity. These principles include informed consent, no harm to participants,
anonymity, and voluntary participation.
1. Informed Consent
Informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement that ensures participants
willingly engage in a study with full awareness of its purpose, risks, and benefits.
Participants must be provided with clear, understandable information before
agreeing to participate. This principle is especially important in research involving
vulnerable populations, such as children, people with disabilities, and prisoners.
In South Africa, research involving minors (under 18 years) requires parental or
guardian consent, as mandated by the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. For example, in a
psychological study involving school learners, researchers must obtain written
consent from parents before conducting interviews or assessments. Failure to obtain
proper consent can lead to ethical violations and legal consequences.
2. No Harm to Participants
The principle of no harm to participants ensures that individuals involved in research
are protected from physical, psychological, emotional, or social harm. Researchers
must carefully balance the potential benefits of their study against any possible risks.
Ethical research requires that participants are not exposed to unnecessary stress,
discomfort, or injury.1
An example of this principle in South Africa can be seen in medical and social
research projects. For instance, HIV/AIDS studies must ensure that participants are
not stigmatized or emotionally harmed due to their participation. The National Health
Research Ethics Council (NHREC), established under the National Health Act,
provides strict guidelines to protect research participants. In cases where sensitive
1
Babbie E The practice of social research 11th ed (Thompson Wadsworth Belmont 2007). Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
Assignment 1 Semester 1 2025
Detailed Solutions, References & Explanations
Unique number: 826977
Due Date: 19 March 2025
Terms of use
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document as a guide for learning, comparison and reference purpose,
Terms of use
Not to duplicate, reproduce and/or misrepresent the contents of this document as your own work,
By making use of this document you agree to:
Use this document
Fully accept the consequences
solely as a guide forshould you plagiarise
learning, reference,or and
misuse this document.
comparison purposes,
Ensure originality of your own work, and fully accept the consequences should you plagiarise or misuse this document.
Comply with all relevant standards, guidelines, regulations, and legislation governing academic and written work.
Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is" without any express or
implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or liability for any actions taken based on the
information contained within this document. This document is intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes.
Reproduction, resale, or transmission of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
, +27 67 171 1739
QUESTION 1 (2 ANSWERS PROVIDED)
Ethical Principles in Research and South African Legal Examples
Ethical principles are the foundation of responsible research practices, ensuring that
studies involving human participants are conducted with fairness, respect, and
integrity. These principles include informed consent, no harm to participants,
anonymity, and voluntary participation.
1. Informed Consent
Informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement that ensures participants
willingly engage in a study with full awareness of its purpose, risks, and benefits.
Participants must be provided with clear, understandable information before
agreeing to participate. This principle is especially important in research involving
vulnerable populations, such as children, people with disabilities, and prisoners.
In South Africa, research involving minors (under 18 years) requires parental or
guardian consent, as mandated by the Children’s Act 38 of 2005. For example, in a
psychological study involving school learners, researchers must obtain written
consent from parents before conducting interviews or assessments. Failure to obtain
proper consent can lead to ethical violations and legal consequences.
2. No Harm to Participants
The principle of no harm to participants ensures that individuals involved in research
are protected from physical, psychological, emotional, or social harm. Researchers
must carefully balance the potential benefits of their study against any possible risks.
Ethical research requires that participants are not exposed to unnecessary stress,
discomfort, or injury.1
An example of this principle in South Africa can be seen in medical and social
research projects. For instance, HIV/AIDS studies must ensure that participants are
not stigmatized or emotionally harmed due to their participation. The National Health
Research Ethics Council (NHREC), established under the National Health Act,
provides strict guidelines to protect research participants. In cases where sensitive
1
Babbie E The practice of social research 11th ed (Thompson Wadsworth Belmont 2007). Disclaimer
Great care has been taken in the preparation of this document; however, the contents are provided "as is"
without any express or implied representations or warranties. The author accepts no responsibility or
liability for any actions taken based on the information contained within this document. This document is
intended solely for comparison, research, and reference purposes. Reproduction, resale, or transmission
of any part of this document, in any form or by any means, is strictly prohibited.
