Introduction
The values we hold, both as a society and as individuals, play a huge role in determining what kind of research happens and how it is conducted. Research aims and acceptable methodology are determined by a range of stakeholders including government, research institutions, funding bodies, and those affected by research. The kind of people that hold power in these groups will influence which issues are deemed a priority, whose opinions are valued and to what extent, as well as the range and remit of research impact.
It is easy for us to take our values for granted and not interrogate explicitly what they are or why we hold them. This also means we may assume that others hold the same values as we do. Research culture and practice would benefit greatly from increased attention to and critical engagement with the values that motivate and shape our work.
The terms values, ethics, and morals are often used interchangeably. Watch the following video introductions produced by the University of Texas at Austin to better understand their distinction. If you are interested in going further, have a look at this entry on Value Theory from the Stanford Encyclopaedia of Philosophy.
Values | Ethics Defined
Try writing down some of the things you value. Think about how these relate to different aspects of your life and whether there are any conflicts between values you hold in different situations.
Value is an inherently subjective concept and is always defined in relation to the aims or outcomes of a practice. The aims and outcomes themselves are also influenced by the values we hold. Understanding this necessarily complex web of interactions is crucial to assessing the quality of research we do and improving our practice. Given the complexity of the world we live in, it is easy for us to act in ways that may conflict with our values, even without realising. This applies equally well to research.
Cast Study
Practical Steps and Tools
Collaborate with the people you work with to create a list of shared values.
Consider how you work and whether this aligns with the values you have defined.
When starting new projects or partnerships, write down how the aims and methods of the study align or conflict with your own personal values.
References and Further Resources
The entry on Value Pluralism in the Stanford Encyclopaedia discusses the notion that there are different categories of moral value.
Watch Consent Challenges, a talk by Dr Mehrunisha Suleman for Black and Brown in Bioethics, where she discusses the ethics of participant consent in the context of Muslim women.
Watch Theories and Frameworks, a talk by Dr Tiia Sudenkaarne for Black and Brown in Bioethics, where she discusses how the moral theories and frameworks we use impact our research.
