Question 1

Use of known contacts in an organisation to gain research access is easier if you are undertaking a case study.

Accepted Answer

Using known contacts can facilitate access to data and participants, which is often crucial in case study research where in-depth understanding of a specific context is required.

Question 2

Why is it a good idea to send a written request for access to your chosen organisation(s)?
A) To make sure they read it
B) To avoid personal assistants
C) To allow them to consider your request in their own time
D) To save time

Accepted Answer

Sending a written request allows the organization to review and consider your request at their convenience, ensuring a more thoughtful response.

Question 3

Which of these is NOT usually an organisational concern about allowing access to researchers?
A) Researcher's will fabricate data
B) The research will take up too much time
C) Sensitive commercial information will be leaked
D) The research will not be presented anonymously

Accepted Answer

Organizations are generally more concerned about the potential for sensitive information to be leaked, the time commitment required, and ensuring anonymity, rather than researchers fabricating data, which is more of an ethical concern within the research community itself.

Question 4

Which of these is a potential benefit of research to organisations?
A) Theoretical development of the field
B) Opportunity to discuss ideas with an outsider
C) Commercially sensitive material can be publicised
D) None of the above

Accepted Answer

Research can provide organizations with the opportunity to discuss ideas with an outsider, which can lead to new insights and improvements.

Question 5

At what stage in the research process do ethics become unimportant?
A) After access has been granted
B) After data has been gathered
C) After the data has been analysed
D) Never

Accepted Answer

Ethics are always important in research, from planning to publication and beyond, to ensure integrity and respect for participants.

Question 6

What is meant by the term 'morally defensible'?
A) Stating your own values
B) Acting in a way consistent with prevailing ethical norms
C) Refusing to accept the moral ideals of others
D) Presenting data that has not been fabricated

Accepted Answer

'Morally defensible' refers to actions or decisions that can be justified or supported based on ethical principles or prevailing moral standards.

Question 7

Deontological approaches to research ethics mean ________.
A) The significance of the data never justifies using any means of collecting it
B) The significance of the data means any means of collecting it are justified
C) Researchers must be aware of their participants' ethics
D) Participants must agree to abide by the researcher's ethics

Accepted Answer

Deontological ethics focuses on the morality of actions themselves rather than the consequences, meaning that ethical principles should not be violated even if the data is significant.

Question 8

Which of these is NOT an ethical issue relating to your conduct with participants?
A) Privacy
B) Consent
C) Falsification of data
D) Non-maleficence

Accepted Answer

Falsification of data is an ethical issue related to research integrity and honesty, not directly related to conduct with participants.

Question 9

A teleological approach to ethics in research allows you to act unethically to obtain important findings.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A teleological approach to ethics in research...

Question 10

Ethical integrity refers to the process of gaining approval from a research ethics committee.

Accepted Answer

Ethical integrity refers to adhering to moral principles and ethical standards, not just the process of gaining approval from a research ethics committee.

Question 11

"Whilst carrying out an ethnography of a call centre, Julie is keeping a research journal to note down promises she has made to participants so she can check that she has kept them." What is this an example of?
A) Julie's ethical integrity
B) Covert data collection
C) Julie's data
D) Teleological ethics

Accepted Answer

Julie is demonstrating ethical integrity by keeping track of promises made to participants, ensuring she adheres to ethical standards in her research.

Question 12

What is meant by "stage-specific" ethical issues?
A) Issues that arise when research is presented
B) Issues specific to participants' place in the research design
C) Issues relating to distinct parts of the research process
D) Issues that differ between different types of research project

Accepted Answer

Stage-specific ethical issues refer to ethical considerations that arise at different stages of the research process, such as planning, conducting, and reporting research.

Question 13

"The organisation and participants' rights to confidentiality/anonymity" is most important in the ________ stage of the research process.
A) Topic clarification
B) Data processing
C) Analysis and reporting
D) Access

Accepted Answer

The answer of "The organisation and participants' rights to confidentiality/anonymity"...

Question 14

The researcher has a right to freedom from sponsor/gatekeeper coercion even when they desperately need access to an organisation to carry out research.

Accepted Answer

Researchers have ethical rights to conduct their work without undue influence or pressure from sponsors or gatekeepers, ensuring the integrity and independence of their research.

Question 15

Consideration of research ethics does not extend to the physical safety of the researcher.

Accepted Answer

Research ethics encompass the safety and well-being of both participants and researchers, ensuring that all involved are protected from harm.

Question 16

Which of these is NOT an ethical problem in research?
A) Use of a personal contact to gain access
B) Potential to cause harm to participants
C) Breach of the organisation's anonymity
D) Deception of participants

Accepted Answer

Using a personal contact to gain access is not inherently unethical, whereas causing harm, breaching anonymity, and deceiving participants are recognized ethical issues in research.

Question 17

Which of these is a good way to ensure anonymity in reporting interview data?
A) Do not include quotations from the participants
B) Lie about who said what
C) Refer to participants with numbered codes
D) Change the name of the organisation

Accepted Answer

Using numbered codes to refer to participants helps maintain anonymity by not revealing their identities.

Question 18

The return of a completed questionnaire is NOT enough to imply that the participants consent to taking part in the research.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The return of a completed questionnaire is...

Question 19

Which of these should be included on a "participant information sheet"?
A) Explanation of the nature of the research
B) Contact details in case of questions
C) Recognition of the right to withdraw at any time
D) All of these

Accepted Answer

A participant information sheet should include an explanation of the research, contact details for questions, and information about the right to withdraw, ensuring informed consent.

Question 20

"Informed consent is not required in online research because the Internet is a public place." What is this statement an example of?
A) Bad practice
B) An ethical code
C) Good practice
D) Moral defensibility

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement in research, including online research. The statement reflects a misunderstanding and is considered bad practice.

Quiz 6: Negotiating Access and Research Ethics

Use of known contacts in an organisation to gain research access is easier if you are undertaking a case study.

Why is it a good idea to send a written request for access to your chosen organisation(s) ?

Which of these is NOT usually an organisational concern about allowing access to researchers?

Which of these is a potential benefit of research to organisations?

At what stage in the research process do ethics become unimportant?

What is meant by the term 'morally defensible'?

Deontological approaches to research ethics mean ________.

Which of these is NOT an ethical issue relating to your conduct with participants?

A teleological approach to ethics in research allows you to act unethically to obtain important findings.

Ethical integrity refers to the process of gaining approval from a research ethics committee.

"Whilst carrying out an ethnography of a call centre, Julie is keeping a research journal to note down promises she has made to participants so she can check that she has kept them." What is this an example of?

What is meant by "stage-specific" ethical issues?

"The organisation and participants' rights to confidentiality/anonymity" is most important in the ________ stage of the research process.

The researcher has a right to freedom from sponsor/gatekeeper coercion even when they desperately need access to an organisation to carry out research.

Consideration of research ethics does not extend to the physical safety of the researcher.

Which of these is NOT an ethical problem in research?

Which of these is a good way to ensure anonymity in reporting interview data?

The return of a completed questionnaire is NOT enough to imply that the participants consent to taking part in the research.

Which of these should be included on a "participant information sheet"?

"Informed consent is not required in online research because the Internet is a public place." What is this statement an example of?