Using the CERD framework to think through the duties of a researcher

This animation summarises the last four weeks of this course in terms of how the CONSEQUENTIAL, ECOLOGICAL, RELATIONAL, DEONTOLOGICAL framework can be useful for thinking through the multiple dimensions of ethical appraisal of a research study. We hope you have found this framework useful whether as a researcher preparing to undertake a study or as an evaluator of other researcher’s studies.

If you are on Twitter, using the #FLresearchethics hashtag, reflect on how using all four dimensions of this framework can be useful to researchers and those evaluating the ethicality of Social Science research. You may think this framework has applicability beyond the Social Sciences. You may feel that it can help you identify some key issues in a study you are currently planning or writing up.

Whilst the four dimensions do not offer advice on what to do, by ensuring you have raised your awareness of possible issues and highlighted ones which repeatedly appear when you use the different lenses, you can anticipate possible issues and make decisions, based on what might be described as a ‘personal code of ethics’. If this helps you, share your experiences.