Sunday, 8 November 2020
Qualitative Methods in Media &
Communication (CM2006)
WEEK 1
Ethics in Qualitative Research - Flick
- Introduction
- Previous misuse of research and public attention it attracted led to establishing
precautions against such violations
- Basic Principles of Ethically Sound Research
- Informed consent - knowing that the research is being conducted and having the
chance to refuse in taking part
- Deception of research participants should be avoided
- Participants’ privacy should be respected
- Accuracy in data interpretation should be the leading principle
- Respect for the person is seen as essential
- Consideration of the well-being of the participant
- Address the relation of benefits and burdens for the participants
- Preparation
- Relevance
- Consider whether your topic is already over researched
- Participants
- Consider whether it is justifieable to expose participants to research
- Researchers
- Researchers should be trained in using their methodological approach, know what it is
about and what problems might arise in applying it. Interview training in role-plays may
be helpful, if they are followed by a critical feedback by the research team or the
supervisor of a research.
- Focus of Research Questions
- A central issue here is how focused the question is – does it give a clear advice for what is
necessary as data to collect for answering it or not?
- Qualitative research is often understood as open and holistic, and focus accordingly
should be developed and refined in the later stage of the project.
1
Qualitative Methods in Media &
Communication (CM2006)
WEEK 1
Ethics in Qualitative Research - Flick
- Introduction
- Previous misuse of research and public attention it attracted led to establishing
precautions against such violations
- Basic Principles of Ethically Sound Research
- Informed consent - knowing that the research is being conducted and having the
chance to refuse in taking part
- Deception of research participants should be avoided
- Participants’ privacy should be respected
- Accuracy in data interpretation should be the leading principle
- Respect for the person is seen as essential
- Consideration of the well-being of the participant
- Address the relation of benefits and burdens for the participants
- Preparation
- Relevance
- Consider whether your topic is already over researched
- Participants
- Consider whether it is justifieable to expose participants to research
- Researchers
- Researchers should be trained in using their methodological approach, know what it is
about and what problems might arise in applying it. Interview training in role-plays may
be helpful, if they are followed by a critical feedback by the research team or the
supervisor of a research.
- Focus of Research Questions
- A central issue here is how focused the question is – does it give a clear advice for what is
necessary as data to collect for answering it or not?
- Qualitative research is often understood as open and holistic, and focus accordingly
should be developed and refined in the later stage of the project.
1
