Author: Hammersley, Martyn

Source: International Journal of Social Research Methodology, Volume 12, Number 3, July 2009 , pp. 211-225(15)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

Abstract:

Ethical regulation of social research has increased considerably in the UK in the past few years, not least as a result of the ESRC's Research Ethics Framework. This article questions whether ethics committees are capable of making sound judgments about the ethics of what is proposed and practised in particular research projects. In addition, the legitimacy of such regulation is questioned, on ethical grounds. Finally, it is argued that increased regulation will not raise the 'ethical standard' of social science and will probably worsen the quality of what it produces.

Keywords: research ethics; ethical regulation; ethicists; ESRC Research Ethics Framework

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/13645570802170288

Affiliations: 1: FELS, The Open University, Milton Keynes, UK

Publication date: 2009-07-01

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