Introduction to Sociology

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  The Scientific Method. Provided by: Sociology Live!. Located at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XcnpuhrnE28. License: Other. License Terms: Standard YouTube License
  

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Ethics

LEARNING OUTCOMES

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  Describe key ethical guidelines in sociology
  

Sociologists conduct studies to shed light on human behaviors. Knowledge is a powerful tool that can be used toward positive change. And while a sociologist’s goal is often simply to uncover knowledge rather than to spur action, many people use sociological studies to help improve people’s lives. In that sense, conducting a sociological study comes with a tremendous amount of responsibility. Like any scientists, sociologists must consider their ethical obligation to avoid harming subjects or groups while conducting their research.

Figure 1. Sociologists have a responsibility to be ethical and fair.

The American Sociological Association, or ASA, is the major professional organization of sociologists in North America. The ASA is a great resource for students of sociology as well. In 1970, the ASA adopted its first Code of Ethics—formal guidelines for conducting sociological research—consisting of principles and ethical standards to be used in the discipline. It was developed out of necessity as a result of several (in)famous studies that were found to have harmed human research participants. 

Today, the ASA Code of Ethics consists of the following six principles: 

1. 
   Professional competence
   
2. 
   Integrity 
   
3. 
   Professional and scientific responsibility
   
4. 
   Respect for people’s rights, dignity, and diversity
   
5. 
   Social responsibility
   
6. 
   Human rights
   

In addition, there are nineteen ethical standards, covering the following topics: competence, representation and misuse of expertise, delegation and supervision, discrimination, exploitation, harassment, employment decisions, conflicts of interest and commitment, public communications, confidentiality, informed consent, research planning, implementation, and dissemination, plagiarism, authorship, publication process, responsibilities of reviewers, education, teaching, and training, contractual and consulting services, and adherence to the code of ethics. 
The ethical standards that relate most to the research process itself are: confidentiality, informed consent, research planning, implementation, and dissemination. 
Each of these principles and ethical standards have detailed descriptions and parameters in the 2018 ASA Code of Ethics.