Episode overview

This episode covers the essentials of social science research in terms of practical concerns and ethical considerations. It firstly spends some time, thinking about time! How researchers can plan projects within specific timeframes, budgetary constraints, possible travel restrictions, and how to also think on vital matters of risk, health and safety in doing social research. The podcast secondly shifts to ethical principles, discussing the importance of taking ethical approaches and engaging formal ethical procedures when working with human subjects. The episode considers matters such as informed consent, confidentiality, and minimising harm and how ethics is not just about forms and approvals but treating people with respect, ensuring their well-being, and building trust. We also offer ‘top tips’.

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Supporting readings

There is a light introduction to practicalities of doing social science research, time, cost, logistics, health, safety and ethics here:

• Peters, K. (2017). Your Human Geography Dissertation: Designing, Doing, Delivering. SAGE: London (chapter 5) and online: https://study.sagepub.com/yourhumangeography/student-resources/chapter-5/external-links

This chapter covers the essentials of health and safety in social science work:

• Bullard, J (2016) ‘Health, Safety and Risk in the Field’ In: Clifford, N., Cope, M., Gillespie, T.,& French S. (eds.) Key Methods in Geography. Third Edition. Sage. Pp. 19-29 with online support: https://study.sagepub.com/keymethods3e2/student-resources/chapter-2/further-reading

On ethics specifically, listeners may find the following useful:

• Hay, I. (2016). On being ethical in geographical research. In: Clifford, N., Cope, M., Gillespie, T.,& French S. (eds.) Key Methods in Geography. Third Edition. Sage. Pp. 30-43. https://study.sagepub.com/keymethods3e2/student-resources/chapter-3/further-reading
• Wilson, H. F., & Darling, J. (Eds.). (2020). Research Ethics for Human Geography: A Handbook for Students. https://sk.sagepub.com/book/mono/preview/research-ethics-for-human-geography-a-handbook-for-students.pdf

Supporting websites

Do you want to know more about ethics? These websites may help (we are not responsible for external content)

• Research Ethics Guidelines from UK Research and Innovation: https://www.ukri.org/councils/esrc/guidance-for-applicants/research-ethics-guidance/
• Ethics in Social Science and Humanities Research from the European Commission: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ethics-in-social-science-and-humanities_he_en.pdf