Ethical Guidelines in Business Research: Protecting Participants and Ensuring Integrity

1. Chapter 2 Ethics in Business Research

2. Learning Objectives Understand . . . • What issues are covered in research ethics. • The goal of “no harm” for all research activities and what constitutes no harm for participant, researcher, and research sponsor.

3. Learning Objectives Understand . . . • Differing ethical dilemmas and responsibilities of researchers, sponsors, and research assistants. • Role of ethical codes of conduct in professional associations.

4. Ethical Issues at all Stages of the Research Process

5. Ethical Treatment of Participants Explain study benefits Explain participant rights and protections Obtain informed consent

6. Identify researchers Describe survey topic Describe target sample Identify sponsor Describe purpose of research Promise anonymity and confidentiality Give “good-faith” estimate of required time commitment State participation is voluntary State item-non response is acceptable Ask for permission Components of Informed Consent

7. Characteristics ofInformed Consent Competence Elements Knowledge Voluntary Informed

8. Ethical Responsibilities Special guidelines apply to children! • Informed consent means parental approval.

9. Deception Disguising non-research activities Camouflaging true research objectives

10. Debriefing Explain any deception Describe purpose Share results Provide follow-up

11. Obtain signed nondisclosure Non- disclosure of data subsets Restrict access to ID Minimize instruments requiring ID Reveal only with written consent Participant Confidentiality

12. Right to Privacy Right to refuse Prior permission to interview Limit time required

13. The U.S. Safe Harbor Agreement Notice Choice Access Onward Transfer Security Data Integrity Enforcement

14. Confidentiality Sponsor Nondisclosure Purpose Nondisclosure Findings Nondisclosure

15. Explain problems Terminate relationship What To Do If Coerced? Educate on purpose Emphasize fact-finding role

16. Regulate Enforceable Specify Behavior Protect Effective Codes of Ethics

17. Code of ethics Confidentiality Debriefing Deception Ethics Informed consent Nondisclosure Findings Purpose Sponsor Right to privacy Right to quality Right to safety Key Terms