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7 Ethics

I’m following BERA’s Revised Ethical guidelines for Educational Research (2004) and the principles of beneficence, honesty and accurate disclosure as described by Charles and Mertler (2004, pp.12-22). The latter helps to augment the former.

Beneficence means research should not, in any way, harm any individuals physically, emotionally, mentally or professionally. Seidman (2006, p.13) makes us aware that subjects should not be exploited for scholarship as ‘interviewing as a process … turns others into subjects so that their words can be appropriated for the benefit of the researcher.’

Honesty includes ensuring that raw and processed data are not to be suppressed or manipulated in a way to deceive. As mentioned later, there are ethical issues in this study with me being involved as both subject and researcher.

Accurate disclosure means full information about the purpose and procedures of the research is given, confidentiality and anonymity maintained, and permissions sought from guardians of minors when necessary. Data also need to be stored securely. Charles and Mertler point out that accurate disclosure should not be confused with full disclosure which would conflict with anonymity and confidentiality.

I will also follow the advice of Dawson (2002, p.154) and produce a short code of ethics to cover anonymity, confidentiality, right to comment or withdraw, the final report and Data Protection for each subject, together with a longer statement of ethical practice upon request.

8. Methods of Data Collection

Since beginning the process of writing this assignment I have moved to China posing some issues with data collection. My next physical point of presence in Europe will be in 8 months time. I could wait risking memories to fade or be corrupted but as I know the participants involved are technologically savvy the interviews can be done as follows:

All the co-principals have access to videoconferencing software (Skype, iChat etc.) and the time difference between East Coast China and Vienna is +7 hours which gives two possible windows for interviews on a workday and rather more flexibility on a non-work day. Videoconferencing also allows us to work without call costs to either of us limited only by the quality of the internet connection.

We also have access to Pulse Live Scribe [3] to record notes (and simultaneous audio recordings synchronised to the notes). During interviews, interviewers will take written notes to mark points in dialogue to be further addressed without interrupting the flow of the interviewee. Rugg & Petre (2007, p.107) stress that some form of recording, other than written notes (notation) is essential as respondents will be talking too quickly to make accurate notes. Furthermore, they indicate limitations to using solely audio recordings as ‘a classic mistake is to let respondents use terms like ‘this one’ and ‘that one’ which make perfect sense when you can see where they’re pointing, but which will be completely meaningless when you’re listening to the audio tape six weeks later.’

The use of applications such as iShowU [4] will allow video and audio records of the conversations made (as will most webcam software for both Macs and Windows). This will allow me to make contextual links between