(16) Ethics in Business Research

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Davis, 2005

Ethical Issues

legislation linked to

telephone privacy

do-not-call lists

electronic monitoring

data privacy

Internet privacy

antispam legislation

mugging

marketing in the form of research

important because it involves using the participation of the general public

the level of ethical behaviour relates to the level of participation

unethical behaviour is growing rapidly

Feel Good Store (project)

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This chapter relates in the sense that we will have to be aware of the ethical requirements when doing our research. It is important also to be mindful of the rights of all those involved.

Codes Of Ethics

continue to legislate

formal codes are now more common

Issues With Technology

technological advancements are increasing ethical monitoring

major consequences

result in lower levels of participation from:

invasion of privacy

marketing in guise of research

breakdown of trust

Protection of Subject's Rights

informed consent

anonymity

Quality of Research

potential for abuse

Research Versus Direct Marketing

need to maintain trust with participant

Rights

Societal Rights

right to be informed

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If there is a discovery that the research may affect the well0being of the general public, then the researcher must make them aware and keep them informed.

right to expect objective ressearch results

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If the results will be public, then they should be unbiased.

right to privacy

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Society has the right to expect that personal information will not be disclosed. As technology advancements arise, there is a higher potential for the abuse of human privacy.

Subjects' Rights

important because:

the subject is the crucial factor in business research

there is a problem that a large number of subjects refusing to participate

right to choose

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1. All subjects must be aware of this right.2. They should be given adequate information about the actual research in order for them to decide whether to participate or not.3. The subject should be aware of the conditions.

right to safety

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The subject's right to avoid anything that may cause physical and mental harm.

right to be informed

debriefed

Clients'/ Managers' Rights

right of confidentiality

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The vendor should keep confidential information given by the client.

right to expect high-quality research

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1. right against unnessecary research2. right for protection against unqualified researchers3. right against the misrepresentation of the presentation of data

Researchers' Rights

right to expect ethical client behaviour

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clients must:1. honestly solicit proposals for research problems2. accurate representation of results by the client3. keep researchers' info confidential

right to expect ethical subject behaviour

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The subjects are to report data truthfully and without bias.