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Ethical Applied Linguistics Research

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The Palgrave Handbook of Applied Linguistics Research Methodology

Abstract

This chapter presents the historical development of research ethics in applied linguistics and then outlines core issues that applied linguists are likely to face when conducting research. Best practices within the field will be discussed and attention called to little discussed elements of research ethics, specifically issues involving academic or professional conduct and behaviors that could lead to unethical practices. Also highlighted will be the growing reliance on Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) as the benchmark for ethical research by providing cases of ethical issues that were unlikely to be covered during IRB training or in the IRB application process. While the nomenclature will differ from country to country, we will use the term IRB to refer to any research ethics board. The main thrust of this chapter is to provide support for teaching research ethics in graduate-level applied linguistics courses and afford guidance to novice applied linguists.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    We will use the term IRB or Institutional Review Board throughout this chapter. An IRB is the American version of ethical review boards that are common in many countries. The general goal of an IRB is ensure that governmental requirements of ethical behavior are being followed. Additionally, IRBs provide support for technical ethical issues such as ensuring that data is securely kept and that participants are being treated fairly.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, Indiana State University, IN, USA

    Scott Sterling

  2. Department of Linguistics and Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Peter De Costa

Authors
  1. Scott Sterling
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  2. Peter De Costa
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Correspondence to Scott Sterling .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Sydney School of Education and Social Work, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Aek Phakiti

  2. Department of Linguistics, Germanic, Slavic, Asian and African Languages, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA

    Peter De Costa

  3. Applied Linguistics, Northern Arizona University, Flagstaff, AZ, USA

    Luke Plonsky

  4. School of Education, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Sue Starfield

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© 2018 The Author(s)

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Sterling, S., De Costa, P. (2018). Ethical Applied Linguistics Research. In: Phakiti, A., De Costa, P., Plonsky, L., Starfield, S. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Applied Linguistics Research Methodology. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59900-1_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-59900-1_8

  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-137-59899-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-137-59900-1

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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