The postings on this list in response to the publication of the SPA's
Guidelines on Research Ethics illustrate well the highly contested nature
of this issue. The consultation on this topic last summer in response to
the draft Guidelines also reflected the widely differing perspectives of
social policy researchers and the wide range of different approaches to the
definition and conduct of research.
Given this diversity, the SPA has produced Guidelines, not a prescriptive
statement. Of course there will be disagreements with these, and we hope
that debate on the nature of research, its philosophical foundations and
the multiple power relationships involved will continue on this list.
In practice of course, much research will undergo scrutiny by University,
NHS or other research ethics committees; SPA's Guidelines are no substitute
for these formal processes.
Caroline Glendinning
SPA Chair
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