The principal ethical issues you will need to consider irrespective of which research method you use are:

•

maintaining your integrity and objectivity during the data collection, analysis and reporting stages;

•

avoiding deception about why you are undertaking the research, its purpose and how the data collected will be used;

•

respecting rights to privacy and not to be exposed to the risk of harm;

•

emphasising that participation is voluntary and that participants retain the right not to answer any questions that they do not wish to, or to provide any data requested.

Those involved also retain the right to withdraw;

•

achieving consent that is fully informed, considered and freely given. Research without prior fully informed consent should only be acceptable in very specific and previously approved circumstances;

•

respecting assurances provided to organisations about the confidentiality of (certain types of) data and their anonymity;

•

respecting assurances given to individuals about the confidentiality of the data they provide and their anonymity;

•

considering the collective interests of individuals and organisations in the way you analyse, use and report the data which they provide;

•

complying with legislation and other legal requirements relating to the processing and management of personal and confidential data;

•

considering your own personal safety and that of other researchers.