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Part One
INTRODUCTION TO
BUSINESS RESEARCH

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McGraw-Hill/Irwin

2003 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.,All Rights

Chapter Five
ETHICS IN
BUSINESS RESEARCH

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What are Research Ethics?

Ethics are norms or standards of
behavior that guide moral choices about
our behavior and our relationships with
others
The goal is to ensure that no one is
harmed or suffers adverse
consequences from research activities
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Ethical Treatment of Participants

Begin data collection by explaining to the
participant the benefits expected from
the research
Explain to the participants that their
rights and well-being will be adequately
protected, and say how this will be done
Be certain that interviewers obtain the
informed consent of the participant
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Deception
The participant is told only part of the
truth or when the truth is fully
compromised
To prevent biasing the participants
before the survey or experiment
To protect the confidentiality of a third
party

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Issues Related to Protecting Participants

Informed consent
Debriefing
Right to Privacy/Confidentiality
Data Collection in Cyberspace
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Ethical Issues related to the Client

Sponsor non-disclosure
Purpose non-disclosure
Findings non-disclosure
Right to quality research
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Ethics Related to Sponsor

Sometimes researchers will be asked by sponsors
to participate in unethical behavior.
To avoid coercion by sponsor the researcher
should:
Educate sponsor to the purpose of research
Explain researchers role
Explain how distortion of the truth leads to
future problems
If necessary, terminate relationship with sponsor

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Ethical Issues related to

Researchers and Team Members
Safety
Ethical behavior of assistants
Protection of anonymity

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