Ethics of Qualitative Research – Selected Aspects

Every scientific study, regardless of the discipline in which it is conducted and the
research methodology, is embedded in the axiological dimension. Therefore, the researcher,
already at the stage of creating the research concept, and later during its implementation and
publication of the obtained results, makes many ethical choices for which they are responsible.
The aim of the chapter is to present selected issues concerning the ethics of qualitative
research, with particular emphasis on research conducted on the basis of andragogy. The
chapter discusses significant aspects of ethical correctness in scientific research, taking into
account the perspective of the research participant and the perspective of the researcher, as
well as the phenomenon of whistleblowing in the academic environment and doubts related
to it. It emphasizes that all persons and entities involved to some extent in scientific research
(including: participants, researchers, recipients of research reports, scientific councils, editorial
boards, institutions financing scientific research, publishers) are exposed to ethically
unfavorable actions of the researcher and/or the applied research procedure. The most important
principles and postulates regarding research ethics contained in professional codes
of scientists and guides in the field of research ethics as well as examples from research
projects were indicated, while noting that they are only certain guideposts, but researchers
are obliged to make decisions in their research practice with a sense of responsibility for
others and themselves.