Research Ethics: Re-Evaluating the Consequentialist Perspective of Using Covert Participant Observation in Management Research

28 Pages Posted: 20 Nov 2015

See all articles by John Oliver

John Oliver

Bournemouth University

Keith Eales

Bournemouth University - Business School

Date Written: July 1, 2008

Abstract

Purpose This paper presents empirical evidence that focuses on the use of covert participant observation as a method of data collection and considers the ethical nature of this method as a means to create knowledge that leads to direct management action. This ethical debate centres on issues such as informed consent, rights and consequences. This paper develops the consequentialist argument by reflecting on our experiences of using covert participant observation and the consequences of using such a method in empirical management research.

Methodology Two empirical case studies, conducted independently of one another, highlight the choices we made and the justification for using covert participant observation as a means to investigate organisational issues.

Findings Whilst we conclude that this research method can be used effectively within an ethical framework, we suggest that researchers need to be more aware issues of the potential consequences on themselves in terms of the personal, emotional and trust issues that centre around deception when using covert participant observation.

Research Implications Researchers are now asked to consider the consequences on themselves of conducting covert participant observation, and in particular, to assess the potential problems arising in the form of emotional or personal implications when being deceptive.

Originality of Paper The ethical debate concerning the rights and consequences of conducting covert participant observation is extended to include a consideration of the consequences for the researcher pertaining to the collection and use of data using this research method. We go beyond the traditional aspects of the debate by extending it to consider the consequences on the researcher of using what is essentially research method based on deception.

Keywords: research, ethics, qualitative, participant observation

JEL Classification: M1, M10

Suggested Citation

Oliver, John and Eales, Keith, Research Ethics: Re-Evaluating the Consequentialist Perspective of Using Covert Participant Observation in Management Research (July 1, 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2691454 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2691454

John Oliver (Contact Author)

Bournemouth University ( email )

Bournemouth, BH12 5BB
United Kingdom

Keith Eales

Bournemouth University - Business School ( email )

Executive Business Centre, 89 Holdenhurst Road,
Bournemouth, BH8 8EB
United Kingdom

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