Research Methods

and Technical
Writing
COMP 323/BICT 322 - January 2024
Module 1 - Ethical Considerations in Research

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What are Ethics?

● Ethics refer to the principles, values, and standards of conduct that govern

the behavior of individuals or groups.

● Ethics guide individuals in distinguishing right from wrong and making

decisions that align with moral principles.

● In various fields, including academia, business, healthcare, and technology,

ethics play a crucial role in shaping responsible and respectful behavior.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

1. Informed Consent:
● Principle: Participants should provide informed and voluntary consent
before participating in research.
● In-depth:
- Researchers must clearly communicate the purpose of the study, potential
risks and benefits, and procedures to participants.
- Informed consent involves ensuring that participants understand their
rights, the voluntary nature of their participation, and the implications of
their involvement.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

2. Privacy and Confidentiality:

● Principle: Protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants and their

data.
● In-depth:

- Researchers must take measures to secure and protect sensitive

information collected during the study eg children data, financials, health
records etc.

- Anonymizing data, using encryption, and securing storage are common

practices to safeguard participant privacy.
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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

3. Transparency and Full Disclosure:

● Principle: Researchers should provide transparent and complete

information about the research process.
● In-depth:

- Researchers should disclose their affiliations, funding sources, and

potential conflicts of interest.

- Transparent reporting includes providing details about the research design,

methodologies, and any limitations in the study.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

4. Bias and Fairness:

● Principle: Conduct research without bias and ensure fairness.

● In-depth:

- Researchers should be aware of their own biases and take steps to

minimize bias in study design, data collection, and analysis.

- Fairness considerations extend to addressing biases in algorithms and

avoiding discriminatory outcomes.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

6. Responsible Use of Technology:

● Principle: Ensure that technology is used for positive and socially

responsible purposes.
● In-depth:

- Researchers need to consider potential negative consequences of

technologies developed during the research.

- Ethical considerations extend to understanding and mitigating risks

associated with the use of emerging technologies.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

7. Beneficence and Non-Maleficence:

● Principle: Maximize benefits and minimize harm to participants and society.

● In-depth:

- Researchers should prioritize the well-being of participants and ensure

that potential risks are carefully assessed and minimized.

- The principle of beneficence extends to considering the broader

societal impact of research outcomes and aiming for positive contributions.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

8. Community Engagement:

- Principle: Involve and engage relevant communities in the research process.

- In-depth:

- Researchers should seek input from communities affected by the

research, ensuring that their perspectives are considered.

- Community engagement involves building partnerships, addressing

concerns, and fostering collaboration throughout the research process.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

9. Accessibility and Inclusivity:

- Principle: Ensure that research outcomes are accessible and inclusive.

- In-depth:

- Researchers must consider the diverse needs of potential users when

designing technologies.

- Efforts should be made to avoid creating or perpetuating digital divides,

ensuring that technology is accessible to all, regardless of individual differences.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

10. Open Science and Collaboration:

- Principle: Foster open and collaborative research practices.

- In-depth:

- Researchers are encouraged to share research data, methodologies,

and findings openly with the research community.

- Collaboration enhances the reliability and reproducibility of research,

contributing to the collective advancement of knowledge.

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Ethical Principles in Computing Research

11. Compliance with Regulations:

Principle: Adhere to relevant laws, regulations, and ethical guidelines.

In-depth:

- Researchers must be aware of and comply with ethical guidelines and

regulations governing research in their field and geographical location.

- Compliance ensures that research is conducted ethically and legally,

protecting both researchers and participants.

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TODO: Data Protection Act 2019

Evaluate the Impact of the Data Protection Act on Computing Research in

Kenya

● Evaluate how the Data Protection Act influences computing research

choices in Kenya.

● Analyze key provisions, explore implications for data processing, consent,

security measures, and cross-border considerations.
● Discuss ethical considerations and propose measures for compliance in a
concise written response.

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