Etiese riglyne van belang in navorsingsmetodologie in Publieke Administrasie

Abstract

Ethical guidelines of importance in research methodology in Public Administration

The purpose of this article is to make researchers in Public Administration aware of the fact that no scholar has a free hand in terms of the research procedures he follows. There are certain ethical guidelines that have to be followed in research projects where the object of study has to do with human beings, and with human environment. Researchers in Public Administration are often in a position of authority regarding the other participants in a research project. Researchers normally obtain formal approval from senior officials, such as Directorgenerals of state departments to do research in their institutions. This approval to a large extent gives the researcher in Public Administration formal control over research participants in such a government department. Ethical considerations come into play to act as a kind of control measure in the activities of a researcher.