INSTITUTE OF FINANCE MANAGEMENT

FACULTY OF ACCOUNTING BANKING AND FINANCE

BACHELOR OF ACCOUNTING WITH INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

MODULE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

CODE:MSU 07401

STREAM A: GROUP 3

SUB-GROUPA NO.6

GROUP ASSIGNMENT

S/N NAME REGISTRATION NUMBER

01 MSOKE ALEX MGENI IMC/BAIT/2220148

02 CHRISPIN DEUSDEDITH SANDE IMC/BAIT/2222637

03 JANETH DANIEL MWAISELA IMC/BAIT/2212374

04 HERRY JUSTIN MBONDEI IMC/BAIT/2226470

05 NASMA SALUMU KAMTONYE IMC/BAIT/2212256

a) According to the Collins dictionary (1979) Pg 502 Ethical means “In accordance with

principles of conduct that are considered correct, especially those of a given professional or

group” therefore Research ethics refers to the principles and guidelines that govern the conduct

of research involving human subjects, animals, or any other entities. It involves ensuring that

research is conducted in a morally and socially responsible manner, with integrity, honesty, and

respect for the rights and welfare of participants and other stakeholders.

b) Various ethical aspects in research include:

Informed consent: This principle ensures that participants are fully informed about the purpose,
procedures, risks, and benefits of the research, and that they voluntarily agree to participate. It's
about respecting individuals' autonomy and right to make informed decisions about their
involvement.

Confidentiality: Protecting the privacy and confidentiality of participants' data and information
is crucial. It involves safeguarding sensitive information shared by participants during the
research process, maintaining their trust, and preventing unauthorized access or disclosure.

Respect for participants: Treating participants with dignity, respect, and sensitivity to their
cultural beliefs and individual differences is fundamental. Researchers should acknowledge and
honor the diversity of backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences among participants.

Beneficence: This principle emphasizes the importance of maximizing benefits and minimizing
harms to participants and other affected parties. Researchers must consider the potential risks and
benefits of their research and take measures to ensure that the benefits outweigh any potential
harms.

Integrity: Maintaining honesty, accuracy, and transparency in reporting research findings and in
interactions with funding agencies, collaborators, and the scientific community is essential.
Integrity is the foundation of trust in research and ensures the reliability and validity of research
outcomes.

Avoidance of harm: Researchers must take measures to avoid causing physical, psychological,
social, or other types of harm to participants, animals, or the environment. This includes
implementing safeguards and protocols to minimize risks and mitigate potential adverse effects.
 Compliance with regulations and ethical guidelines: Adhering to relevant laws, regulations,
and ethical guidelines governing research, such as those set forth by institutional review boards
(IRBs) or ethics committees, is necessary to ensure the ethical conduct of research.

c) Research ethics is important for several reasons:

Protection of participants: It ensures that the rights, welfare, and dignity of research
participants are respected and safeguarded throughout the research process.

Trust and credibility: Ethical research practices enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of
research findings and the scientific community as a whole. Trust is essential for the advancement
of knowledge and collaboration in research.

Social responsibility: Ethical research contributes to the advancement of knowledge and the
betterment of society while minimizing potential harms to individuals and communities.

Legal and professional obligations: Researchers have legal and professional obligations to
conduct research ethically and responsibly, ensuring compliance with relevant laws, regulations,
and professional codes of conduct.

Funding and publication requirements: Many funding agencies and journals require
researchers to adhere to ethical guidelines as a condition for funding or publication. Ethical
research practices are essential for securing funding and disseminating research findings.

Examples of why research ethics is important include:

The Tuskegee Syphilis Study: In this unethical study conducted in the United States from 1932
to 1972, African American men with syphilis were not informed about their diagnosis or
provided with treatment, leading to significant harm and suffering. This study violated basic
ethical principles of informed consent, beneficence, and respect for participants' autonomy.

Stanford Prison Experiment: This controversial study conducted in 1971 involved unethical
treatment of participants, leading to psychological harm and the need to terminate the study
prematurely. The study lacked proper informed consent, failed to protect participants from harm,
and raised serious ethical concerns about the treatment of human subjects in research.

d) The disadvantages of a researcher being unethical include:

Loss of trust and credibility: Unethical behavior undermines the trust of participants,
colleagues, funding agencies, and the public, damaging the researcher's reputation and
credibility. Without trust, research findings may be viewed skeptically or disregarded, hindering
the advancement of knowledge.

Legal and professional consequences: Unethical conduct can lead to legal action, disciplinary
measures, loss of funding, and exclusion from professional organizations and academic
institutions. Researchers who engage in unethical behavior may face serious consequences for
their actions, including damage to their career and professional reputation.

Harm to participants: Unethical research can result in physical, psychological, social, or other
types of harm to participants, violating their rights and welfare. Researchers have a responsibility
to prioritize the well-being of participants and minimize potential risks associated with their
research.

Inaccurate or biased results: Unethical practices such as falsification or fabrication of data,

selective reporting, or conflicts of interest can lead to inaccurate, biased, or misleading research
findings. This compromises the validity and reliability of the research, undermining the integrity
of the scientific process and hindering the advancement of knowledge.

Negative impact on society: Unethical research can have negative consequences for
individuals, communities, and society as a whole. It may perpetuate injustice, inequality, and
harm, undermining the social responsibility of research and hindering efforts to address pressing
societal issues.
 REFERENCES

-Collins Dictionary 1979

- Ranjit Kumar., “Research Methodology”, 3rd edition New Delhi SAGE Publication Ltd, 2011