The Importance of Research Ethics in the Non-Profit Sector
Introduction
Many non-profit organizations work with vulnerable and at-risk populations, such as people with disabilities, racialized, unemployed, or living in poverty. Research is conducted to better understand the circumstances faced by these vulnerable people, while assessing the impact of non-profit organization’s programming on improving their outcomes. Drawing conclusions from data can help leadership better understand an individual’s experiences and what programming can be successful at improving their life circumstances. Much of the research conducted in the non-profit sector is qualitative, meaning that researchers ask questions in an interview or focus groups style to better understand the lived experiences an individual or group. Surveys can also be used to measure data in a numerical way, to quantify an individual’s characteristics, experiences, and behaviour. Regardless of the method of collecting data, participants are exposed to risk of identification, being treated fairly, and confidentiality. Understanding how to advance knowledge while adhering to ethical principles and guidelines that minimize risk to research participants is why research ethics is so important.
This post outlines how Healthy Way Consulting can help you do research with vulnerable participants in an ethical and respectful way and provides information on research ethics in Canada.
What is Research Ethics?
In Canada, our main guidance document for research ethics that includes human participants in the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans, or TCPS 2 (2018).
Three institutions are responsible for TCPS 2:
- The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC);
- The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC); and
- The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR).
The TCPS 2 encourages ethical behaviour toward human research participants. It is founded on 3 core principles that work to maintain human dignity: Respect for Persons, Concern for Welfare, and Justice. These principles work in tandem, helping to create a research design that acknowledges each person’s inherent worth as an individual.
Respect for Persons
- This principle involves understanding that all research involves risk, and therefore participants should only expose themselves to these risks by choice.
- It respects participants’ ability to decide whether to participate or continue to participate in the research. It also puts measures in place to protect participants that lack the ability to make their own decisions.
- Respect for Persons ensures that consent to participate in research be free, ongoing, and informed, and that consent may be withdrawn at any time.
Concern for Welfare
- This involves avoiding exposing participants (both individuals and the groups to which they belong) to unnecessary risks.
- Researchers must consider the physical, mental, and spiritual health of participants, as well as their economic situation and social position.
- Research ethics boards (REBs) must consider this principle from a participant’s point of view.
Justice
- Justice is the responsibility of researchers to treat individuals and groups both equitably and fairly. It also means that burdens and benefits should be fairly and equitably distributed amongst research participants and across society.
- It requires researchers to examine participant inclusion and exclusion criteria of a proposed study and evaluate whether their reasoning is sound.
- Researchers and REBs also must consider the perceived power imbalance between themselves and participants. This is especially relevant when participants are from vulnerable populations.
Why are research ethics important?
Research ethics allow researchers academic freedom, including freedom from institutional censorship and the ability to challenge conventional ways of thinking. With this freedom comes an obligation to minimize risk to participants.
Modern research ethics hold researchers and institutions to high standards, both scientifically and ethically. Historically, there have been numerous instances of scientific research that has been conducted in an unethical manner and caused serious harm to participants, such as the famous Stanford Prison Experiment in 1971. By applying the principles of research ethics, the scientific community can repair vulnerable groups’ trust and faith in them without repeating the wrongs of the past. Moreover, non-profits can use their research findings to promote a more fair and equitable society for marginalized communities while also improving programs designed to help these communities.
How can Healthy Way Consulting help you do research in an ethical and respectful way?
Dr. Andrew Clark, Owner & Operator of Healthy Way Consulting, has over 15 years of experience in academic research, and ample experience working on large-scale research projects with Dr. Jason Gilliland at Western University’s Human Environments Analysis Laboratory (HEALab). During his time at the HEALab, Dr. Clark led the implementation of more than 10 unique data collection projects that worked with children and youth, general population, marginalized populations (e.g., low-income, food insecure), and professional experts. While completing these projects, Dr Clark was lead author of the ethics applications submitted by the HEALab, which contribute to his expertise in the conduct of ethical research practices.
Additionally, all Healthy Way Consulting staff have successfully completed the TCPS 2: CORE-2022 training course. We will ensure that your research project meets the TCPS 2’s rigorous ethical standards every step of the way while also ensuring that you collect quality data that will answer your important research questions.
Finally, by contracting Healthy Way Consulting to help evaluate your programs, you will help minimize one of the greatest risks to confidentiality: Your organization. In many cases, conducting research with your own clients can lead to participants feeling unable to share their true opinions and beliefs about your work because they depend on your services. To get a true unfiltered and honest responses to your evaluation, an independent evaluator can maintain confidentiality and maximize the chances of honest and clear results.
Learn more about conducting research with Healthy Way Consulting by reviewing our past blogs:
Contact Us!
If your non-profit needs support in conducting ethical research, please contact Dr. Andrew Clark at andrew@healthywayconsulting.ca. We are here to help!
Author: Nadia Tirolese
Date: June 26, 2023