Why the Biomedical Research Ethics Model Is Inappropriate for Social Sciences: A Response to ‘Responsible to Whom? Obligations to Participants and Society in Social Science Research’ by Matt Sleat

Abstract

This chapter provides a response to the chapter ‘Responsible to Whom? Obligations to Participants and Society in Social Science Research’ by Matt Sleat (2017). I outline precisely why principles of decision making in medicine and the biomedical research ethics model do not easily transfer for use in the social sciences. In particular I urge against the social researcher moving from ‘thought’ (contributing to knowledge) to ‘action’ – which could have political consequences and create a fundamental change in disposition towards the researcher’s role in society.

Citation

Boyd, K.M. (2017), "Why the Biomedical Research Ethics Model Is Inappropriate for Social Sciences: A Response to ‘Responsible to Whom? Obligations to Participants and Society in Social Science Research’ by Matt Sleat", Finding Common Ground: Consensus in Research Ethics Across the Social Sciences (Advances in Research Ethics and Integrity, Vol. 1), Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 55-60. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2398-601820170000001006