Session 2: Methods and Techniques to Uphold Ethical Standards in Research
Learning Objectives:
- Apply and maintain research methods respecting ethical considerations.
- Select ethical behavior when conducting research, including applied research.
Session 2 concentrates on the methods and techniques used to uphold ethical standards in research. Our primary focus is on ethical standards in Applied Research within Vocational Education and Training (VET). We provide a concise overview of the theory, accompanied by practical steps and guidelines for implementing these standards in real research settings. The key ethical aspects we emphasize include obtaining informed consent, managing and protecting data, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring transparency and honesty in research. These aspects were selected for their importance and relevance to Applied Research in VET. By the end of the session, you are expected not only to understand these principles but also to apply step-by-step methods and techniques to ensure ethical conduct in research.
First, we invite you to read the following Guide on Informed Consent. This Guide delves into the concept of informed consent, emphasizing that it involves more than simply obtaining a subject’s signature on a form. It includes providing potential participants with sufficient information, ensuring they fully understand the research’s aims and objectives, and continuously updating them as the study progresses. The Guide also offers tips for effectively obtaining informed consent and outlines a step-by-step procedure. Additionally, it highlights the importance of assessing the subject’s comprehension and the process of re-consenting as essential components of informed consent.
Document_Informed Consent_The Guide
Activity
After studying the Informed Consent Guide, we invite you to solve the following exercise. A scenario regarding informed consent within the context of research in VET is provided. The scenario describes the steps made by a researcher to obtain the informed consent of the potential participants for a survey they are conducting. You are asked to read the scenario and the steps taken carefully and identify the 8 mistakes the researcher made in this process. The activity requires a good understanding of the informed consent procedure. By the end of the
activity, you will be able to implement the informed consent procedure properly and identify procedure mistakes and omissions.
Document_Informed Consent – Worksheet
Having covered the Informed Consent procedure, we will now focus on effective data management, a critical aspect of ethical research. You are invited to watch the following 12-minute video on Data Management, which discusses research integrity and confidentiality in relation to managing data. The video introduces best practices for collecting, storing, protecting, and sharing data. It emphasizes the researcher’s responsibility to inform participants about how their data will be stored, transferred, and the potential risks of confidentiality breaches. The video also highlights the importance of data security in safeguarding information. Additionally, the concepts of data retention periods and proper data disposal methods are explained. The video concludes with an exploration of the ethical considerations surrounding data dissemination, including questions such as: How will the data be shared? With whom, and for what purpose? Finally, it discusses how data dissemination can benefit the field of research, with data privacy, security, and protection at the core of the discussion.
Activity
You are invited to take the following quiz to help you assess your understanding of the issues dealt with, in this session. It includes 5 questions. Correct answers appear per question and the overall score upon completion.
Now, read the article titled “What Are the Top Data Anonymization Techniques.” This article outlines the most effective methods for researchers to ensure that collected data remains private and secure. In an era marked by increasing data breaches and leaks, the article emphasizes the importance of organizations demonstrating trustworthiness and transparency in their data practices to stay competitive. It also explains the concept of data anonymization and presents the most commonly used anonymization techniques.
Activity
After learning about the most effective anonymization techniques, you are tasked with completing the following simulation exercise. In this exercise, you will apply the presented techniques to a dataset containing sensitive information. The goal of the exercise is to help you become familiar with anonymization methods by applying them to a real-world scenario. In this scenario, you will be provided with a table that contains the personal and sensitive data of 10 individuals. This dataset includes details such as personal information, employment history, health conditions, and training outcomes. Your task is to anonymize the data in the table while ensuring that it remains useful for analysis, thereby protecting the privacy of the participants.
Now, let’s explore another crucial aspect of ethics in applied research: Conflict of Interest. Watch the following video, which explains what a conflict of interest is and offers insights on how to identify when one occurs. The video emphasizes that, in assessing potential conflicts of interest, individuals should consider not only their financial interests but also their relationships with people, as well as with public, private, and business entities. Additionally, the video highlights the most common mistake people make regarding conflicts of interest and explains how to properly declare one.
Building on the previous video, read the following online resource about how to avoid conflicts of interest in research. The article emphasizes the importance of identifying potential conflicts before starting or participating in a research project. It outlines five key steps to effectively prevent conflicts of interest in research.
Activity
Now, test your understanding on Conflict of Interest within research in VET, by completing the following simulation activity. Read the scenario carefully and answer the accompanied questions!
Now, let’s move on to the final part of this session, which covers transparency in research. How can you make sure that your research is not only transparent but also reliable and replicable? Read the following document, which details the six key steps to ensure your research remains transparent, reliable, and reproducible.
You are invited to take the following quiz to help you assess your understanding of the issues dealt with, in this session. It includes 5 questions. Correct answers appear per question and the overall score upon completion.