Ethics and cultural difference
Introduction
The fifth generic quality involves the development of a commitment
to ethical action and social responsibility as a researcher in a
discipline or professional area and as a leading citizen. Higher
degree by research
students should be aware of their ethical requirements
within the professional area and practice, and of the ethical
demands that arise from new knowledge generated by research in the
area.
UniSA resources
On campus workshops
Research Education Support Activities (RESA) offers on campus workshops relevant to ethics in research as part of the core series (eg Ethics proposal in the Business, social sciences and humanities commencing program and Understanding politics, ethics and financial aspects of research in the Sciences, engineering and technology advancing research program). Check the calendar for details of when these workshops are offered.
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Online workshops, courses and resources
Ethics and compliance index (RESA) provides links to online workshops, courses and resources.
Indigenous research (Research and Innovation Services) outlines UniSA procedures for undertaking research with Indigenous participants. Research outside Australia may also have social and cultural implications.
Policies
Anti-Racism Policy (Policy no C-21.1) includes the policy
statement, legislation, implementation, a glossary of terms and an
appendix of relevant sections of national and international acts.
Other resources
National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Commonwealth of Australia (2003) Values and ethics - Guidelines for ethical conduct in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health research
Section 6: Research involving Aboriginal peoples (PDF file 30kb, Interagency Advisory Panel on Research Ethics, Canada)
Science and Society in Europe - Ethics (European Commission - Research) looks at ethical issues involving cultural difference. 'The European society is a rich cultural tapestry, made up of divergent ethical, religious, historical and philosophical backgrounds. While respecting these cultural differences, the European Commission is aiming to promote science and research which respects fundamental ethical principles.' This website looks at:
- What is meant by ethics in research?
- Ethical rules for the EU Research Framework programmes
- Ethical review of European Commission funded research projects
- The six action lines on ethics in the Action Plan 'Science and Society'
- Conventions, Declarations, and Codes of Conduct on ethics
Unpacking the moral maze: Ethical guidelines for social researchers (Committee on Ethics, Faculty of Social Sciences, Lancaster University, UK) is a website that offers guidelines 'aimed at helping social researchers to reach an equitable and satisfactory resolution of their dilemmas'. Some information has a local application but some can be applied more broadly. Specific to cultural difference are the sections:
- Ethical dilemmas when researching others I looks at fieldwork generally
- Ethical dilemmas when researching others II: Cross-national research states that 'researchers should: show respect for persons in the host country; be sensitive to cultural differences; take care not to exploit the vulnerable' and briefly addresses these issues.