Aspects of Qualitative Research Ethics in Sociology: Theoretical-Methodological Discussion

Abstract

Qualitative research ethics in sociology is primarily related to numerous methodological features of qualitative research, the research context and the interaction process of conducting qualitative research, but also to the classical development of ethical codes of sociological associations and broader ethical regulations. Conventionally speaking, ethical issues refer to the protection of research participants and are regulated primarily at the professional and institutional levels in Croatia. However, given the development of research methods, new technologies and social changes involving current ethical regulations, several aspects are problematised and connected in this paper. The paper therefore analyses qualitative research ethics through existing ethical codes in sociology, the application of ethical procedures in research, and the challenges that researchers face in doing so. Ethical regulations that in recent years imply the standardisation of ethical procedures and research practices point to the importance of continuous theoretical and methodological discussions on research ethics, especially in qualitative research. Most methodological literature contains a section on ethical procedures (informed consent, anonymity and confidentiality, risks, etc.) applied in sociological research. Nevertheless, there are arguments that they should be placed within qualitative research ethics in accordance with the features of qualitative research, which can be additionally challenging in sociology in terms of ethics, methodology and research. The paper concludes that the specifics of qualitative research ethics are reflected in the ethical practice that implies a reflexive application of ethical procedures in qualitative research.