The ethical considerations and issues surrounding anthropological research and practice, including informed consent, power dynamics, and cultural sensitivity.
Cultural Relativism: The concept that a person's beliefs and actions should be understood in the context of his or her own culture, rather than in terms of the standards of another culture.
Informed Consent: The process of obtaining permission from research participants after they have been fully informed about the nature of the study, the risks, and the benefits.
Confidentiality: The obligation of a researcher to protect the privacy of research participants by not revealing their identities or personal information.
Deception: The practice of intentionally misleading research participants in order to achieve research goals. Ethical issues arise due to the potential harm to participants and lack of informed consent.
Power Dynamics: The relationship between the researcher and research participant, which can often be unequal or exploitative. Ethical considerations must be made to minimize harm and protect vulnerable populations.
Research with Vulnerable Populations: The ethical considerations that must be made when conducting research with groups such as children, prisoners, and individuals with mental or physical disabilities. Special care must be taken to ensure their safety and well-being.
Impact on Community: The potential for research to have positive or negative impacts on the community being studied. Ethical considerations must be made to ensure that the research benefits the community and does not cause harm.
Researcher Bias: The potential for a researcher's own beliefs, values, or experiences to influence the research process and findings. Ethical considerations must be made to minimize bias and ensure objectivity.