Example methodology dissertation topic 9:

Ethical considerations within primary research: an overview of its development and existing best practice.

This dissertation notes that a number of ethical issues can arise during the course of conducting primary social research, particularly ‘to prevent harming or wronging others’ (Sieber, 1993, p. 14). Accordingly, it further notes that the best advice for the researcher is to be constantly ethically aware (Gilbert, 1999) and to ensure that the ‘meaning and justification of moral consideration which underlie research’ are always apparent (Pring, 2002, p. 142). Working with specific reference to the ethical considerations that arise when interviewing vulnerable members of society, this dissertation charts the development of ethical research codes within higher education over the past twenty years and thereafter presents a commentary on existing best practice. In so doing, it hopes also to proffer reasoned suggestions as to how existing codes could be further improved.

Suggested initial topic reading:

• Gilbert, N. (ed.) (1999). Researching social life. London: SAGE.
• Pring, R. (2002). ‘The ‘false dualism’ of educational research’, Journal of Philosophy of Education, vol. 34(2), pp. 247-260.
• Sieber, J. (1993). ‘The ethics and politics of sensitive research’, in, Renzetti, C. and Lee, R.M. (eds), Researching sensitive topics. London: SAGE, pp. 14-26.