ETHICAL GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE CONDUCT OF STUDENTS’ RESEARCH: AN OVERVIEW.

Eyarefe, Ibitola Deborah & Sanusi, Gbenga Peter

Training Department National Institute for Educational Planning & 

Administration (NIEPA), Ondo, Nigeria;

Department of Economics, Faculty of Social & Management Sciences, 

Anchor University, Lagos

E-mail: debbieyarefe@gmail.com Petersbank1@gmail.com

Abstract

An important consideration in conducting a helpful and meaningful research is a thorough reflection on ethical issues. There are certain settled academic norms regarding the ethics of research which students are expected to adhere to in writing their dissertations as budding researchers. This opinion paper offers an overview of the ethical guidelines for both qualitative and quantitative research. It suggests relevant considerations in respect to basic ethical guidelines. Further, it highlights the challenges and consequences of violation of research ethics, as well as the importance of ethical practices. Research ethical conundrums are complex and subjective in nature; researchers must put integrity, transparency, standard procedure and proper acknowledgement of other researchers’ work into consideration. The principles stated in this article are not by any means exhaustive to ensure ethical research outcome, but rather, it is to contribute to an understanding of the ethical responsibility required from the student research processes. Moreover, this provides a framework within which the conscientious research student should be guided against any departure from the norms based on sheer ignorance. Finally, the study recommends creating adequate awareness of the responsibility of both the students and faculty members, especially among the students. This could be done through regular training and re-training in an on-going process until the culture of sound research ethics is imbibed.

Keywords: Student research, Research Ethics, Ethical guidelines, Integrity