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Workshop
Research ethics in an international context: square pegs and round holes?
Thursday 19 June 2008
As research projects increase in scale and reach to address the major issues of the day, research which crosses national and cultural boundaries is increasingly common. The INORMS Congress is examining the implications of such research for many aspects of research administration and management; this workshop allows participants to focus in more depth on some practical issues in research ethics, especially (but not only) in relation to human subjects. Two aspects in particular are likely to be discussed in depth: approaches to ethics review of proposed research, and the realities of securing informed consent in cross-national and cross-cultural research.
The growth in regulation and legislation around the protection of human subjects of research, and the related review processes, often arising following national or international 'scandals' whose repetition must be prevented, may encourage a 'one size fits all' approach to ethics review and approval. Indeed the similarity of review committee structures and approaches in many countries is striking (although the extent of 'bureaucratisation' and 'proceduralism' may vary): is this evidence of best practice having been identified, or of a common culture, or of a more unquestioning tendency to copy what has gone before?
Cross-national and cross-cultural research raises special issues when it comes to engaging with research participants and obtaining informed consent. Questions arise relating to language, forms of communication, consent vs. assent, literal translation vs. cultural translation, and how people are or are not empowered to consent to participate in research projects. Case studies and discussion will illustrate positive (and possibly negative) examples of addressing these issues.
As well as sharing experiences and shedding light on these important subjects, the workshop aims to provide participants with new contacts and sources of help and advice when supporting researchers engaging in cross-cultural and cross-national research.
Target audience
This workshop will be of interest and relevance to those specialising in research ethics and integrity work, and to all those involved in supporting and managing research - especially research involving human subjects - undertaken in countries or cultures other than that where the funding agency or lead research organisation is based.
Indicative programme
Cost
ARMA members: £185.00
Members of INORMS societies: £185.00
Non-members: £242.00
The higher rate for non-members will include annual membership of ARMA for the period until 31st March 2009. For tax reasons, ARMA events are open to members only. If you are not yet a member, you will be able to join in the course of making your booking. If you are already a member, you will be required to use your membership number when booking.
If you are booking for more than one event at the same time, the non-members supplement is payable once only per person.
The contact for general queries is Rosemary Hatch. For queries related to course content, please contact Steff Hazlehurst, s.hazlehurst@ioe.ac.uk.
Booking is now open for ARMA members and for participants who are not members of any INORMS society and wish to join ARMA. Members of other INORMS societies will shortly be able to book at the reduced price.