Ethical research in public policy.

Spicker, Paul

Abstract

Public policy research is research for a purpose, guided by a distinctive range of normative considerations. The values are the values of public service; the work is generally done in the public domain; and the research is an intrinsic part of the democratic process, which depends on deliberation and accountability. Conventional representations of ethical research typically focus on ‘human subjects’ research, which raises different kinds of ethical issues to public policy research. Existing research ethics advice does not address the issues surrounding public policy research. Such research is typically concerned with collective action and the work of institutions, and the central guiding principles are not about responsibility to research participants, but duties to the public, as seen in principles of beneficence, citizenship, empowerment and the democratic process.

Citation

SPICKER, P. 2023. Ethical research in public policy. In Iphofen, R. and O'Mathuna, D. (eds.) Ethical evidence and policymaking: interdisciplinary and international research. Bristol: Policy press [online], chapter 7, pages 139-150. Available from: https://doi.org/10.56687/9781447363972-010

• Online Publication Date: Jul 29, 2022
• Publication Date: Jul 29, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 18, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 18, 2023
• Publisher: Policy Press
• Pages: 139-150
• Book Title: Ethical evidence and policymaking: interdisciplinary and international research
• Chapter Number: 7
• ISBN: 9781447363972
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.56687/9781447363972-010
• Keywords: Public policy; Public service; Public domain; Deliberative democracy; Organisational research; Ethical review
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2085568
• Related Public URLs: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2085556 (Individual chapter by Paul Spicker)
• Additional Information: In addition to this book chapter, Paul Spicker also authored the following:; - SPICKER, P. "One size fits all? The problems of offering ethical guidance to everyone", pages 40=55. (https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2085556)