Educational researchers' ethical responsibilities and human subjects' ethical awareness: implications for research ethics education in China

• Published in: Ethics & behavior Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 321 - 334
• Main Authors: Huang, Jinyan, Zhou, Yuping, Sheeran, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia Routledge 04.07.2021; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Chinese higher education; Educational research; ethical awareness; Ethical dilemmas; ethical issues in educational research; ethical responsibilities; Ethics; Ethics committees; ethics reviews; Graduate students; Higher education; Human subjects; Humans; Medical ethics; Perceptions; Research ethics; Research ethics committee; research ethics education; Research subjects; China
• ISSN: 1050-8422; 1532-7019
• DOI: 10.1080/10508422.2020.1740885

Using a five-point Likert scale survey and a follow-up open-ended questionnaire, this study examined Chinese participants' perceptions of their ethical responsibilities as educational researchers as well as their ethical awareness as human subjects. The participants were 418 faculty and graduate students from two specific Chinese schools, where the first two educational research ethics committees were recently established in Chinese higher education. Results indicate that participants demonstrate basic understanding of their ethical responsibilities as educational researchers and develop their general sense of ethical awareness as human subjects. Further, there are significant gender, faculty versus graduate student status, and research experience effects on their perceptions of general ethical issues in educational research. Important implications for research ethics education in China are discussed.