Publication series
Designed to complement Â鶹ÒùԺ’s Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research, fifth edition (2024)
Â鶹ÒùԺ’s Research Ethics Case Studies, edited by Sin Wang Chong and Alison Fox, complement Â鶹ÒùԺ’s Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research, fifth edition (2024) by giving concrete examples of how those guidelines can be applied during the research process.Ìý
Annotations in the margins of each case study document indicate where, among the numbered paragraphs of Â鶹ÒùԺ’s Ethical Guidelines, readers can find full advice on the issues raised. The annotations include hyperlinks to the relevant passages of the guidelines.
For a full account of ethical best practice as recommended by Â鶹ÒùÔº, researchers should refer to our Ethical Guidelines, which these case studies are intended to illustrate without themselves offering guidance or recommendations.
The series includes the following case studies:
Extended versions of these case studies feature in a book published in 2026 in partnership between Â鶹ÒùÔº and Bloomsbury, Ethical Dilemmas in Educational Research: Â鶹ÒùÔº case studies for researchers by researchers.
Three further case studies, developed alongside the fourth edition of the Ethical Guidelines (2018), are available here and cover: Twitter, data collection and informed consent; researcher wellbeing and international fieldwork; and anticipating the application and unintended consequences of practitioner research.
Director of Research & Director of Impact and Innovation at University of St Andrews
Sin-Wang (Ph.D., SFHEA, FRSA) is Director of Research and Director of Impact and Innovation at the International Education and Lifelong Learning Institute, University of St Andrews. Concurrently, he is Visiting Professor at King's College London...
Professor at The Open University
Dr Alison Fox is Professor of Collaborative Ethical Research and Practice at The Open University in the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport, Chair of the University's Education submission to the Research Excellence Framework 2029,...
Â鶹ÒùÔº Case Studies for Researchers by Researchers
The fifth edition of Â鶹ÒùԺ’s Ethical Guidelines for Educational Research has been revised and updated to enable researchers to conduct their work to the highest ethical standards in any and all...
This case study considers some of the ethical issues related to sustainability and environmental responsibility in relation to educational research. It highlights how environmental implications...
This case study examines some of the ethical issues involved in ‘insider’ research. It highlights the importance of thinking through and anticipating potential conflicts of interest when...
This case study considers the ethical issues that can arise when conducting participatory research with young people. It highlights the nuanced nature of participation preferences and the ethical...
This case study explores ethical issues that arise for researchers working with young people. This includes the right of young people to contribute their experiences and opinions in a way that...
This case study considers some of the ethical issues related to research involving artificial intelligence and education. It highlights balancing the need for data with obligations to protect...
