Negotiate access and research ethics

Gaining access

types of access

traditional access: face to face or data archives

internet-mediated access: use computer of internet technology to questionnair, discussions, experiment or interview

intranet-mediated access: like internet but as a member of the organisation

hybrid access: traditional + internet

Level of access

Physical access: difficult because it requires effort from organization and gatekeeper/blocker (no benefits, topic is sensitive, question your competence and credibility)

Continuing process (not one event): because access is iterative and incremental process and you may seek further data for another part of the research

Cognitive access: physical access is granted in a formal manner so you need trust acceptance and consent

intrusive method: more than one occasion in long time
negotiate access: gain personal entry and have cognitive access

Issues of being internal resesarcher: still access: status of researcher to gain cognitive access could cause suspicious because unclear intention, purpose of research -> must clarify

Issues of being external researcher: negotiate access at each level, rely on goodwill -> must communicate competence and integration, importance of research

Issues with internet-mediated acces

data quality and ethical issues

email and social network facilitate communication (still use traditional at first)

determine suitable way of negotiating access

  • continuing bias. better success by meeting
  • intrusive form, indepth interview, personal approach

key feasibility: ability to identify sample

Strategy of gaining access

Familiarise with the organization

Allow yourself sufficient time: +) pre-survey contact: if respondant are not people who grant you access -> hold explanatory meeting

Use existing contact or develop new one +) keep track record to help credibility for new ones +) new contact by indirect approach (trade union or network) or direct

Overcome organizational concerns:

  • sensitivity of topic
  • confidential of data and anonymity of organization

Benefits to organization?

  • non-threatening and non-judgemental environment -> summary report for those granted you access
  • contract: broader form of report, nature and depth of analysis and confidentiality

Use suitable language: not patronizing, threatening or boring

Facilitate replies when request access

Develop access incrementally:
1) request to conduct interview
2) negotiate access for observation
3) permission for audio record interactions
4) gain access to some data and further request

Establish your credibility: report progress -> might get further access

Research ethis and why should act ethically

Research ethics: standart of behavior in relation to the rights of your subjects
Accompany by social norms: indicator of types of behavior to adopt in specific situations

2 conflicting theories:

deotological view: must follow rules, can't be justified

teleological view: dudcing whether justified or not by consequences not predetermined claims

code of ethics: to overcome ethical dilemma because there are many social norms at once
is a list of principle

Research ethics committee: every uni have one

General categories of ethical issues and formlation of principle to recognize and overcome or minimise those

code of ethics: non-maleficence. avoid poor practices beneficience, promote ethical practices

General ethical issues:

  • scope for deception
  • lack of respect and cause harm
  • respecting privacy
  • nature of participants and scope to withdraw
  • informal consent
  • confidentiality of data and anonymity of participants
  • analysis of data and reporting findings: consent before using it
  • management of data: data protection legislation
  • safety of researcher

netiquette: standard to encourage courtesy avoid poorly worded cause unfriendly or unclear purpose

Ethical issues at specific stage of research

Gaining access

continum start with complete lack of consent: participant fear being deceived

through inferred consent: participant want control over data collected, analysed, stored, reported

informed consent: participant are informed and ask question anytime

participant need to be aware of the information asked -> information sheet ( requirement and implication of participants/nature of research/how data are used/who to contact)

consent form: clarify consent in written agreement

During data collection

Participant right:

  • can withdraw anytime/researcher must stick to the aim/ can't ask question cause harm or intrude privacy
  • can't observe personal behavior: habituation
  • after observe: debrief (what occured and for what reason)

Principle of data protection and management

personal data: allow that person to be identified

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