Document Type
Review Article
Publication Date
9-1-2003
Journal / Book Title
Philosophy of the Social Sciences
Abstract
A focus of criticism on methodological and ethical grounds, the undercover or "covert" approach to fieldwork persists as a useful technique in certain settings. Questions remain about the credibility of the published findings from such work. Covert researchers nearly always protect the anonymity of their subjects and locations. Other researchers cannot validate the covert researcher's claims, yet ethical guidelines often insist that researchers demonstrate the benefits that derive from a covert study. If researchers cannot show that their studies will prove beneficial, ethical standards will weigh against the study, on the presumption that the omission of informed consent should be counterbalanced by the scientific rewards of the research. An attempt to open the results to greater peer investigation might place subjects at risk of unwanted notoriety or even danger. There does not seem to be a way that covert research can meet ethical guidelines unless we adjust our conceptions of research, ethics, or both.
DOI
10.1177/0048393103252782
MSU Digital Commons Citation
Herrera, Chris, "A Clash of Methodology and Ethics in “Undercover” Social Science" (2003). Department of Philosophy Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works. 12.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/philosophy-facpubs/12
Published Citation
Herrera, C. D. "A Clash of Methodology and Ethics inUndercover'Social Science." Philosophy of the Social Sciences 33.3 (2003): 351-362.