Ethical Issues in Social Science Research: A Review

Abstract

Research is a systematic, socially organized quest for new and better insight. ‘Research ethics’ refers to a complex set of values, standards and institutional schemes that help constitute and regulate scientific activity. Ethical issues are becoming a crucial element in social research. It is compulsory for a social researcher conducting research involving humans to apply for ethical clearance. The aims of this study were to Ethical Issues in Social Science Research in Developing Countries discussed in the literature. This review used 20 various research efforts from 1982 to 2014, using key words research, ethics, social sciences, developing countries. 60% of them mostly concerned of research ethics and ethical issues of social science research. First, significant issues regarding of research ethics were identified. Then, as a result of a literature review and case studies, it was also found that ethical issues are mostly occurred in the countries which are still developing. The research findings indicated that Complex ethical issues in such countries need careful justification by social science researchers.