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Rethinking Social Epidemiology pp 43–65Cite as

Values and Social Epidemiologic Research

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Abstract

Social epidemiology, although rooted in social justice and studies of health disparities, has not yet articulated a set of core values. We argue that recognizing such values is important when research is inherently value-laden and that, in such circumstances, establishing an evidence base for policy will be insufficient to bring about social change. Theories of ethics, including deontological ethics, consequentialism, rights theory, virtue ethics, communitarianism and the capability approach can inform how to consider valuation within research. We use two illustrative ­examples, from harm reduction and obesity research, to indicate how values underlie ­multiple aspects of the research process. Since a values-based approach requires moving beyond positivist conceptions of science, the social sciences, particularly critical theory and sociological models of public intellectuals, offer models for developing a value-based social epidemiology that is critical, engaged and relevant.

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Acknowledgements

The authors thank Patricia O’Campo, James Dunn and Kelly Murphy for invaluable advice and reflection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Research on Inner City Health, St. Michael’s Hospital, 30 Bond Street, Toronto, ON, M5B 1W8, Canada

    Ahmed M. Bayoumi

  2. Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, 155 College Street, 6th floor, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M7, Canada

    Adrian Guta

Authors
  1. Ahmed M. Bayoumi
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  2. Adrian Guta
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Correspondence to Ahmed M. Bayoumi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. St. Michael’s Hospital, Bond Street 30, Toronto, M5B 1W8, Ontario, Canada

    Patricia O’Campo

  2. , McMaster University, Department of Health, Aging and Society, Main Street West 1280, Hamilton, L8S 4L8, Ontario, Canada

    James R. Dunn

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Bayoumi, A.M., Guta, A. (2012). Values and Social Epidemiologic Research. In: O’Campo, P., Dunn, J. (eds) Rethinking Social Epidemiology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-2138-8_3

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