Question
Abstract
The strict adherence to ethical principles (namely respect for persons, beneficence/non-maleficence and justice) when conducting research involving human participants is the bedrock of research. There has been little research on students’ experiences with the research ethics process and how these students incorporate ethical standards into their research work, despite previous research looking into teaching methodologies, curricula, and the educational environment for postgraduate students. The purpose of the study was to investigate postgraduate students’ experiences with research ethics during their research project. A sample of 11 participants was used. Through online interviews, this qualitative study, underpinned by the interpretivist paradigm, collected data from postgraduate students from different disciplines and universities in South Africa between June and August 2021. The findings showed different perspectives on the training received in research ethics, and on support and guidance received from supervisors, and the application of research ethics principles in their research projects. Most participants indicated gaps in the teaching and support they received and had not read their university research ethics policies. By focusing on students’ experiences in a developing country and different disciplines, the study contributes to the body of knowledge on postgraduate student experiences. Furthermore, the findings suggest that there is need for more research ethics training amongst postgraduate students in South Africa...Outline the target and accessible population for the study.
Include parameters and the unit of analysis...give me anvanswer for 5 marks
The strict adherence to ethical principles (namely respect for persons, beneficence/non-maleficence and justice) when conducting research involving human participants is the bedrock of research. There has been little research on students’ experiences with the research ethics process and how these students incorporate ethical standards into their research work, despite previous research looking into teaching methodologies, curricula, and the educational environment for postgraduate students. The purpose of the study was to investigate postgraduate students’ experiences with research ethics during their research project. A sample of 11 participants was used. Through online interviews, this qualitative study, underpinned by the interpretivist paradigm, collected data from postgraduate students from different disciplines and universities in South Africa between June and August 2021. The findings showed different perspectives on the training received in research ethics, and on support and guidance received from supervisors, and the application of research ethics principles in their research projects. Most participants indicated gaps in the teaching and support they received and had not read their university research ethics policies. By focusing on students’ experiences in a developing country and different disciplines, the study contributes to the body of knowledge on postgraduate student experiences. Furthermore, the findings suggest that there is need for more research ethics training amongst postgraduate students in South Africa...Outline the target and accessible population for the study.
Include parameters and the unit of analysis...give me anvanswer for 5 marks
Answers
GPT-4o mini
**Target and Accessible Population for the Study:**
1. **Target Population:**
- The target population for this study comprises all postgraduate students involved in research within various disciplines at universities in South Africa. This includes students enrolled in master's and doctoral programs who are undertaking research projects that involve human participants.
2. **Accessible Population:**
- The accessible population refers to the specific group of postgraduate students who were actually part of this study. In this case, the accessible population consists of 11 postgraduate students from different disciplines and universities in South Africa who participated in the online interviews conducted between June and August 2021. This group was selected based on their willingness and ability to share their experiences regarding research ethics.
3. **Parameters:**
- **Discipline:** The sample included students from various academic disciplines, allowing for a diverse range of perspectives.
- **Universities:** The participants were drawn from multiple universities across South Africa, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the research ethics training and experiences in different institutional contexts.
- **Research Work Nature:** Participants were engaged in research projects that involved human participants, which is essential for understanding the application and significance of research ethics.
4. **Unit of Analysis:**
- The unit of analysis for this study is the individual postgraduate student. Each student’s experiences, perceptions, and insights regarding research ethics processes, training, supervision, and application of ethical principles represent primary data for the research, allowing for a deep qualitative understanding of the ethical considerations within their research projects.
By focusing on these populations and parameters, the study aims to provide valuable insights into postgraduate students' experiences with ethics in research, highlighting areas for improvement in training and support systems.
1. **Target Population:**
- The target population for this study comprises all postgraduate students involved in research within various disciplines at universities in South Africa. This includes students enrolled in master's and doctoral programs who are undertaking research projects that involve human participants.
2. **Accessible Population:**
- The accessible population refers to the specific group of postgraduate students who were actually part of this study. In this case, the accessible population consists of 11 postgraduate students from different disciplines and universities in South Africa who participated in the online interviews conducted between June and August 2021. This group was selected based on their willingness and ability to share their experiences regarding research ethics.
3. **Parameters:**
- **Discipline:** The sample included students from various academic disciplines, allowing for a diverse range of perspectives.
- **Universities:** The participants were drawn from multiple universities across South Africa, contributing to a more comprehensive understanding of the research ethics training and experiences in different institutional contexts.
- **Research Work Nature:** Participants were engaged in research projects that involved human participants, which is essential for understanding the application and significance of research ethics.
4. **Unit of Analysis:**
- The unit of analysis for this study is the individual postgraduate student. Each student’s experiences, perceptions, and insights regarding research ethics processes, training, supervision, and application of ethical principles represent primary data for the research, allowing for a deep qualitative understanding of the ethical considerations within their research projects.
By focusing on these populations and parameters, the study aims to provide valuable insights into postgraduate students' experiences with ethics in research, highlighting areas for improvement in training and support systems.