Monday, January 27, 2020

Why is Ethical Considerations Important in a Social Research? Illustrate your answer with examples from real research.

Why is Ethical Considerations Important in a Social Research? Illustrate your answer with examples from real research. In this assignment I will attempt to define ethics and explore its significance when conducting social research. Firstly I will present many different views of ethics in social research by analyzing some common considerations that a researcher must take into account if he/she is to conduct a piece of research properly without breaching ethical principles.   Examples from real research will also be utilized to demonstrate some consequences of unethical procedures in social research. This assignment will then culminate with a critical analysis of why ethical considerations are important when conducting social research. Ethics is defined as the values and morals upheld during interaction with others during the collection of data and the dissemination of findings (Merriam, 1988).   Some ethical considerations include an over-involvement of the researcher, confidentiality of data, the need to preserve the anonymity of participants and problems emerging from a misinterpretation of findings.   As in any research, the researcher should take responsibility for ensuring that guidelines and regulations are followed.   Where there is an extensive analysis of participants behavior and interaction over a period of time, the well-being, confidentiality, privacy and safety of individual participants must take precedence at all times. In addition to this, the British Sociological Association code of ethics states: à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"Guarantees of confidentiality and anonymity given to research participants must be honored, unless there are clear and overriding reasons to do otherwise (British Sociological Association, 1996). Homan (1991) contends that during the process of designing and implementing a piece of research one needs to consider the ethical implications on undertaking the research. Homan also note that ethics is the science of morality: those who engage in it determine values for the regulation of human behavior, collecting information about people, raise ethical issues in the focus of attention, chosen methods adopted and in the form and use of the findings. In such a contextualized situation, the researcher must seek to cultivate a high degree of trust without influencing the behaviors of participants.   The researcher therefore must ensure that the true identity of the participants is not revealed and that any documents used are kept confidential at all times. Douglas (1979) notes that the development of ethics in social research provides something of a safeguard against the researcher encroaching on freedom of speech and the outcome of the research. Douglas also believes that ethical guidelines serve to remind the social researcher about their obligation in the conduct of their work. According to Bell (2006) research ethics is about the nature of the agreement that the researcher has entered with the research participants or contacts. Bell further added that ethical research involves getting the informed consent of those you are going to interview observe or take materials from. It also involves the agreements reached about the use of this data and how the analysis will be reported and disseminated. Then adding to all of this is an obligation of the researcher to adhere to the agreements when they have been reached. When carrying out social research, the researcher should take into account ethical considerations, policies and guidelines. Alcock et al (2008) stated that ethical considerations underpin all social policy research. For example, it is unacceptable to conduct research that would harm the participants or place the researchers themselves into danger. Data must be collected and stored in a place where it is secure and which will protect the anonymity of participants. Participants should give their informed consent to taking part in the research rather than being coerced, bribed or misled. There are ethical codes and protocols for conducting research in social policy, other research frameworks and it is very important that these are adhered to in all enquires. It would be seen as an indicator of the quality of social research study where there is evidence that ethical procedures have been followed.   Brown (1997) in Gross (2001, 2005) made the point that, although à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"protection of participants is one of the specific principles in the Ethical Principles, theyre all designed to prevent any harm coming to the participant, or the avoidance of overt à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"sins. This view is reinforced by Cohen et al (2007) who stated that whatever the specific nature of their work, social researchers must take into account the effects of the research on participants and in such a way to protect their dignity as human beings. There are several instances where ethical principles are lacking in some social research and result in unethical practices. An example of this is in an extreme case of deception: In an experiment designed to study the establishment of a conditioned response in a situation that is traumatic but not painful, Campbell et al (1964) in Cohen (2007) induced through the use of drugs a temporary interruption of respiration in their subjects. The subjects reports confirmed that the experiment was a à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‹Å"horrific experience for them. All the subjects thought they were dying. The subjects, male alcoholic patients who volunteered for the experiment when they were told that it was connected with a possible therapy for alcoholism, were not warned in advance about the effect of the drugs, since this information would have reduced the traumatic impact of the experience. In relation to the case presented in the above paragraph it could be argued that the researcher could have given more thought to the ethical consideration of informed consent. Frankfort and Nachmaias Nachmaias (1992) suggest that informed consent is particularly important if participants are going to be exposed to any stress, pain, invasion or if they are going to lose control over what happens. An important example is in drug research; such informed consent requires full information about the possible consequences and dangers. Cohen et al (2007) argue that the principle of informed consent arise from the subjects right to freedom and self determination. Being free is a condition of living in a democracy and when restrictions and limitations are placed on that freedom they must be justified and consented to, as in research. Also, as part of the right to self determination, the subject has a right to refuse to take part or to withdraw once the research has begun. Thus informed consent also implies informed refusal. There are several other reasons why ethical considerations are important when conducting social research. Although the use of deception has already being explored in the previous paragraph it appears to be a very common way of breaching ethical principles in social research. The use of deception resulting in particularly harmful consequences would be another occasion where ethical considerations would need to be given priority.   An example here would be the study by Festinger et al (1956) in Bryman (2008) of a religious cult; it is quite likely that the fact that the researchers joined the group at a crucial close to the projected end of the world fuelled the delusions of group members. Frankfort and Nachmaias Nachmaias (1992) explains that conducting research that may violate the rights and welfare of the research participants should neither be the intent or of major interest of the social scientist. They further argue that the underlying objective of research is to contribute to the development of systematic, verifiable knowledge. These ethical considerations help to guarantee that the researcher can be held accountable to the public.   Cohen (2007) agrees that the researcher has responsibilities to the research community, for example, not to jeopardize the reputation of the research community (e.g. the university) or spoil the opportunities for further research. Thus, a novice researcher working for a higher degree may approach a school directly, using a clumsy approach, with inadequate data collection instruments and a poor research design and then proceeds to publicize the results as though they are valid and reliable. Cohen (2007) also believes that such a r esearcher , at the very least, should have sought and gained advice from the supervisor, modified the research as necessary, gained approval for the research, made suitably sensitive overtures to the school, and agree rights of disclosure. The quality and integrity of research is very important to the public and when ethical considerations are applied public support is more than likely to be achieved. Bryman (2008) argues that possibly one of the most interesting developments in connection with ethical issues is that the criterion of the ethical integrity of an investigation is its quality. To add to this is the government involvement with the conduct of research. Bower (1979) indicated that the government plays an instrumental role in taking responsibility for subjects involved in research it sponsors but also its accountability in light of the vast amount of public monies on social research. Finally, lapses in ethical considerations in research can significantly harm human, researcher and the public in general. Some examples here could be a researcher who fabricates data in a potentially harmful experiment and may harm or kill participants similarly a researcher who fails to adhere to strict regulations and guidelines relating to safety may jeopardize his health and safety and the health and safety of all those who are involved in the research.   An example of where this actually happened is where the participants in the Milgram (1963) experiment on obedience to authority, experienced high levels of stress and anxiety as a consequence of being incited to administer electric shocks. It is against things like these happening why ethical considerations are so important. Punch (2005) explained that a thorough research proposal will have anticipated the ethical issues involved, and will show how they will be dealt with.

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Civilization :: essays research papers

What is civilization? It actually involves the application of a world view, a particular vision of reality to a human collectivity. Today this definition has become quite ambiguous in the minds of many people because of the eclipse of religion in the modern world and the spread to the rest of the globe since the 19th century.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The importance of ethics. No civilization has not emphasized ethics. Actions have an effect on the soul. Actions are not indifferent. There is no exception, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Christianity. The idea that the structures of society must be bound by certain ethical norms which ultimately affect us as human beings born for immortality. They are there to preserve certain values, the possibilities of certain attitudes, they are following certain religious life which itself is absolutely essential for human being to exist. In traditional civilization art was always an expression of the truths of religion. That is why we distinguish between religious are and sacred art. Religious art is simply an art whose subject happens to be religious. Sacred art is an art whose very forms reflect realities, principles, whose symbols are meta individuals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Khazali Khorasan he is one of the most important Islamic figures of Islamic history. â€Å"If civilization dialogue does not take into consideration the centrality of religion than everything else is secondary.† Fortunately in the West there still remains something of Judaism and Christianity. It has not totally died out.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  So this dialogue between Islam and the West, or the Hindu world and the West, I think must first of all address those people in the West who still believe in both the reality and an ethical system which is in fact very similar to our own. All religions are at the heart of civilizations. There are several elements all based one way or another on religion but not identically with it which must be taken into consideration in serious civilization dialogue. First of all the world view. Presiding ideas which the religion itself in its philosophical, theological understanding. What is our ultimate understanding of reality. It that which determines how we act, how we think, how we look upon ourselves whether it is positive or negative.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Tension Is more evident in the oriental, non-western world because colonialism took several centuries. But those tension are also becoming more and more evident for people in the West, between those who want to go back and live traditional life and many of whom have embraced Islam, or Buddhism.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

NAACP history

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in New York, 1910 by Ida Wells-Barnett, W.E.B. DuBois, Henry Moscowitz, Mary White Ovington, Oswald Garrison Villiard and William English Walling. They felt that an organization is essential to fight for the rights of African-American. Before the NACCP was founded, Mary White Ovington had done extensive research on the lives of African-American in the New York City. Mary Ovington had a big concern over the African-American’s unsuitable life in the country. She did four years of extensive research on the lives of unhealthy housing conditions and the lack of work opportunities for African Americans. In summer 1908, Springfield race riot shocked America where many African American were killed or injured. It was from this event that initiated the formation of NAACP. Soon articles concerning the Springfield riots appeared in the newspapers and magazines. William English Walling wrote the Independent of September 3rd, entitled â€Å"Race War in the North. In his declaration, he mentioned that America has to start treating the ‘colored people’ equally like the white people or the race war will never end in America. He   summoned the   civil rights activists to meet and form an organization that would fight for the Black civil and political rights and   give an end to the racial discrimination in America. A few years before 1905, a group of prominent, African American gathered to discuss the problems that African American faced in that era. The group later called as the Niagara movement. In January 1909, Walling and Ovington met in New York along with Dr. Henry Moskowitz, John Purroy Mitchell to found the NAACP. The Niagara movement conference held on May 30 1909 in New York attended by   40 individuals from National Negro Committee including   a Harvard scholar W.E.B. DuBois, American journalist and anti-lynching crusader Ida Wells-Barnett. The name National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was chosen later at the second congress in May 1910. The mission of this organization was to promote the equality of rights; and to eradicate caste and race prejudice among the citizens of the United States; to advance the interest of colored citizens; to secure for them impartial suffrage; and to increase their opportunities for securing justice in the courts, education for the children, employment according to their ability and complete equality before law; mentioned in its charter. This NAACP in the progressive era and soon it became the dominant and effective organization for Black people in US. The progressive era (1890-1920) was meant to reform the social economy and political aspects in America. However there were some drawbacks in the racism issues, even among the progressive scientists; such as Lester Ward, Charles H. Cooley, and E.A. Ross, who believed that the dark races inherent inferior IQ or intelligence. Many Black leaders joined the white socialist movement, including Du Bois, Cyril Briggs, Chandler Owen and A. Philip Randolph as many middle class felt ignored in their existence in the larger America. There were a number of White liberals in the NAACP, however the organization became a Black parallel system to the liberal White system of power distribution.   Thus it can be concluded that NACCP brought the African into the main stream movements helping in projecting the issues that African American were facing in the White majority through protests paving the way for future civil right movement in the 1960s. Reference Gilbert Jonas, Freedom's Sword: The NAACP and the Struggle against Racism in America. Routledge, 2005. NAACP Org, â€Å"History.† 6 May 2007 ;http://www.naacp.org/about/history/index.htm;. ; ; ; ;

Friday, January 3, 2020

Euthanasi The Consequences Of Euthanasia - 1161 Words

Katie Torras English III CP- E March 23, 2015 HP:______________ Consider the Consequences of Euthanasia Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, has caused much controversy around the globe. Assisted suicide has been an early American statute outlawed since 1828, but is an understandable approach to a dignified death when one suffers from a devastating and debilitating disease with no cure. Some believe that the patient should be allowed to be put to death when they have no hope of recovery while others believe that it is pain that one should have to endure if we believe in the all-mighty God above us. Anyone who is going through unbearable pain and agony should have the choice to decide whether they want to stay alive or if†¦show more content†¦One should be able to decide when they would like to be put to rest in severe cases of suffering and affliction. Humans are legally allowed to euthanize a dog, which is about the same thing as euthanasia. People give dogs the â€Å"ultimate release from suffering whenever they need it (Grayling). Humans should be able to choose to let go of all of their pain if it is what they choose to do and is necessary for their benefit. It is easy to see where people can find the thought of euthanasia as being wrong according to the social implications. One of the strongest opponents of euthanasia is Modern Western Religion where â€Å"under the primitive religious notion that it is God s decision and not our own to take one s own life or to kill someone else (Mandelson). The debate on the subject can be very heated at times and it is difficult to know whether the pro euthanasia camp is correct or the opponents are correct. Many people struggle from disease, trauma, and the most common, cancer. Cancer has tremendous effects on the human body which â€Å"kills more than two thousand kids each year in the United States† alone (Appel). In some cases, the unbearable pain from cancer may cause someone to think that they could not survive the pain any longer. When this happens, the patient should be legally allowed to be euthanized. There is a precedence of