3. MEASURE LEARNING >> Steps in the process >> Select your method

Select your method

Ethics

Teachers in the West Midlands at a focus group on learning outcomes in museums

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You will be forming a brief relationship with the visitors or users involved in your research. You must be clear about why they are involved and how you will use the information once it has been collected.

Consider the following issues:

Honesty - are those involved in the research clear about how and why it will be used?
Ownership - do you need permission to use the evidence you have collected? Who will you need to get permission from - especially regarding students or children?
Safety - have you considered the safety of the people involved including researchers as well as those you are targeting?
Anonymity and confidentiality - can you guarantee this?
Professional integrity - have you maintained this to the best of your ability?

This is a brief overview and your organisation may well have its own guidelines for collecting evidence. More information can also be obtained from the following links:

British Sociological Association Statement of Ethical Practice http://www.britsoc.org.uk/about/ethic.htm

British Educational Research Association
http://www.bera.ac.uk/

Download Methods - strengths and weaknesses to find out more about different research methods.

Now go to 'Develop your research tools' to continue