Ethical issues

Abstract

Empirical research generates questions about an area or topic of interest and ultimately whilst conducting research we aim to provide answers. In doing so, researchers aim at gaining scientific knowledge about an area of interest; to link theory with scientific research. For example, researchers may try to understand why people resort to criminal activity after all. The use of applied research turns out to be practical in criminal justice as well as other social sciences. Examples include 1) the relationship between drug use and crime 2) stress and the police 3) interviewing tactics during investigative interrogation 4) memory and eye witnesses 5) sentencing – judge vs. jury amongst other areas of interests. In other words, we are examining the criminal justice system (court, police prison), the individuals who infringe the laws, victims (rape, sexual abuse, domestic violence, assault, murder, fraud etc) and families of respective victims. Whatever the methodology the researcher decides to use (interviews, surveys, case studies, field studies, archival research etc), there are ethical considerations that need to be safeguarded. As researchers we need to adhere to this rule “Inflict No Harm”; the interests of the participants need to be protected throughout as participants have rights and human dignity (Dantzker and Hunter, 2000).