Research methods for business 5th ch6

Gaining access to data 1Physical access – key issues • Organisations may not wish to allocate resources • Requests for access may not be of sufficient interest • Failure to reach those w

Chapter 6

Negotiating access and research ethics

Gaining access to data (1)

Physical access – key issues

• Organisations may not wish to allocate resources

• Requests for access may not be of sufficient interest

• Failure to reach those who can give permission

• Concerns about sensitivity and confidentiality

• Perceptions about the researcher’s credibility

• Doubts about the researcher’s competence

Gaining access to data (2)

Points to consider

• Access as an iterative process

• Obtaining consent from managers and participants

• Obtaining cognitive access

• The nature and extent of the required access

• Obtaining sufficient scope to answer the research

question

Gaining access to data (3)

Virtual access - four types of online community

• Bulletin boards for particular products or services

• Independent web pages

• Themed email lists

• Multiuser chat rooms

Adapted from Kozinets (2002)

Gaining access to data (4)

Checklist Box 6.8

Complete the Checklist in Box 6.8

to help you gain access

Saunders et al (2009)

Strategies to gain access (1)

Areas for consideration

• Ensuring familiarity and understanding

• Allowing sufficient time

• Using existing contacts and developing new

ones

• Giving a clear account of purpose

Strategies to gain access (2)

Areas for consideration

• Overcoming organisational concerns

• Identifying possible organisational benefits

• Appropriate forms of communication

• Incremental access

• Establishing researcher credibility

Adapted from Saunders et al (2009)

Research Ethics (2) Ethical issues at different stages of research

Source: Saunders et al (2009)

Research Ethics (3) Ethical issues at different stages of research

Source: Saunders et al (2009)

Research Ethics (4)

Two philosophical standpoints of business

and management research

• Deontological

• Teleological

Research Ethics (5)

Research conduct is affected by

• Code of ethics

• Research ethics committees

• General ethical issues

• Netiquette

Research Ethics (6)

Issues during design and gaining access

• Obtaining consent - implied and informed

• Using participant information sheets

• Consent for observation and online observation

Research Ethics (7)

The nature of participant consent

Source: Saunders et al (2009)

Research Ethics (8)

Issues during data collection

• General issues applying to techniques

• Awareness of participant’s rights

• Keeping to the project aims

• Safety of the researcher

Research Ethics (9)

Issues during data collection

• Maintaining objectivity, confidentiality and

anonymity

• Appropriate interview behaviour

• Use of observation techniques

• Undertaking a covert study

Data processing and storage

Personal data must be

• Processed fairly and lawfully

• Obtained for specified purposes

• Adequate and relevant

• Accurate, updated and kept securely

Adapted from Saunders et al (2009)

Data analysis and reporting

Related issues

• Sensitive personal data

• Confidentiality and anonymity

• Protection of research participants

• Ethical use of data analysis and conclusions

Dealing with ethical issues

Checklist Box 6.18

Complete the Checklist in Box 6.18

to help you anticipate and deal with

ethical issues

Saunders et al (2009)

Summary: Chapter 6

• Access and ethics are critical aspects of

research

• Access may be physical, cognitive or continuing

• Feasibility is an important determinant

• Potential ethical issues should be recognised

Summary: Chapter 6

• Ethical concerns can occur throughout the

research

• Both qualitative and quantitative research have

associated ethical issues

• Use of the Internet and email for data generation

raises specific ethical issues

• Data protection legislation requires researchers

to comply with legal requirements