nurse researchers conducting qualitative need to be acutely aware of the unique ways ethics,
both nursing and research ethics, affect all phases of
the qualitative research process. Decisions about
what to study, which persons will be asked to participate,
what methodology will be used, how to achieve
truly informed consent, when to terminate or interrupt
interviews, when to probe deeply, when therapy or
nursing care supersedes research, and what and how
case studies should be documented in the published
results are all matters for ethical deliberation. This
article seeks to examine some of the less obvious, yet
very important, ethical concerns that nurses face
throughout the research process and build a common
core of values that can lead to meaningful process
and socially responsible research results. (Index
words: Ethics; Informed consent; Qualitative research;
Research ethics) J Prof Nurs 11:45-48, 1995.
Copyright © •995 by W.B. Saunders Company.
THE SPIRIT, process, and form of qualitative research
are woven together with the gossamer
thread of ethics. A break in the thread can lead to a
weakening or even destruction of the cloth. As Parahoo
(1991) states, the means and consequences of research
are very much guided by a research ethic. Although
ethical consideration and issues impact quantitative
research, they do so in unique and more
fragile ways in qualitative research.
In qualitative research, questions of ethics arise
within the context of the shifting focus of the study,
the unpredictable nature of the research and the trust
relationship between the researcher and the participant.
Because many dilemmas are resolved in private
by appeals to the conscience of the researcher, forethought
and sensitivity are needed about how ethics
influences the totality of the research.