All of your research participants have a basic right to privacy and to be fully informed about what’s involved in your research investigation. In order to ensure that you protect the rights of potential participants, you’ll need to develop clear, practical ways of gaining their informed consent and of protecting the confidentiality of the data that you obtain from them.
OBTAINING INFORMED CONSENT
As a researcher, you must be able to demonstrate that your research participants have freely given their consent to being involved in your research investigation and that they have a full understanding of what the research involves. They must be aware of the aims of your research and of any risks that they may face if they participate. They must also be fully aware of what they will be required to do or will experience during the research investigation.
I will follow this procedure by, writing a letter to my client describing who I am, what school I attend and what I am studying for this assignment to be relevant. I will also describe what this assignment entails if they wish to participate in my study.
Anonymity/Confidentiality
All research participants have a right to privacy. This includes the right to withdraw from the research investigation at any point if they wish to, the right to refuse to answer any question asked, and the right to remain anonymous and to have the confidentiality of their data protected.
This aspect will also be listed in my letter of consent to my older person, making it very clear that they can withdraw at any point in time.
Honesty and integrity
Data must be gathered carefully, findings reported honestly, and any problems, errors or distortions acknowledged. Researchers must never falsify their data or make false claims that aren’t backed up by the data that they have. A lack of honesty and integrity by researchers is completely ethically unacceptable.
Following the interview a debrief should occur to help the elderly individual understand what will happen to the information you have gained about them. It should also give an opportunity for you to answer any final questions they may have to help put them at ease.
