Ethical Considerations in Research: BM631 Research Methods Report

This report, prepared for the BM631 Research Methods module, focuses on the crucial importance of ethical practices in research. It begins by outlining the aim to ascertain the significance of ethical practice and identifies specific objectives. The methodology section details the deductive approach, quantitative research design, and the use of primary and secondary data. The report also describes the methods used, including participant selection (30 employees), and addresses validity, reliability, and data analysis techniques. The core of the report emphasizes ethical considerations, covering aspects such as participant consent, confidentiality, fair treatment through random sampling, and the use of authentic, up-to-date data to ensure the integrity of the research. The research is also framed as beneficial to both businesses and the academic community, particularly highlighting its potential to guide social media marketing strategies and assist future researchers. The report concludes by underscoring the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines at every stage of the research process, ensuring that the study is free from plagiarism and utilizes ethical social media strategies.

BM631 Research
Methods
1

TABLE OF CONTENT
Aim..................................................................................................................................................3
Objectives........................................................................................................................................3
Methodology....................................................................................................................................3
Approach......................................................................................................................................3
Design..........................................................................................................................................3
Methods.......................................................................................................................................3
Participants..................................................................................................................................3
Validity and reliability.................................................................................................................3
Data analysis................................................................................................................................4
Ethical consideration in research study...........................................................................................4
REFERENCE..................................................................................................................................6
2

Aim
The aim of this report is to ascertain the importance of ethical practice in the research.
Objectives
 To identify the concept of ethical practice.
 To analyse the importance of ethical practice.
Methodology
Approach
It is the very important step for conducting the research. Approach are of two types which is
deductive approach and inductive approach (Rhodes, 2018). This research is addressed using
deductive research approach because social media marketing is the theoretical concept and can
be described by using this technique.
Design
Research can be conducted through two methods which is qualitative and quantitative methods.
Qualitative research is used to get deep knowledge of the topic and quantitative research is
conducted so that numerical and figures can be explained. This current research is conducted
using quantitative research design. The research will also use primary and secondary data. With
the help of primary and secondary information, researcher can understand that why social media
marketing strategies is important for boosting sales of the company.
Methods
This section will tell that from which method the research will be conducted. There are two types
of conducting research which are primary and secondary. Primary data can be collected from
interview, questionnaire etc and secondary data is gathered from books, journal etc. the current
investigation use both primary and secondary research (Silva and Lampley, 2017).
Participants
Participants are 30 employees from the organisation. 30 employees from the company are
randomly selected as the respondents. It will help to understand the need of various market
opportunities and social media strategy for the company.
Validity and reliability
For considering the validity aspect copyright and patented sources are utilized. For the reliability
aspect latest sources are considered for conducting research.
3

Data analysis
It is the last step of the research. As at this step data is analysed which is gathered from primary
and secondary sources. Primary data is analysed by using carts and tables and secondary data is
analysed through online books and journals.
Ethical consideration in research study
Ethical practice is the very important part of the research. Those research is considered valid
which is conducted by taking into account the ethical consideration (What is Research Ethics.,
2021). Reference list are attached at the end of the report so that it can show that information is
obtained from copyright and patented sources and not from not any irrelevant sources. Consent
form is also signed by participants so that researcher can prove that participants are not forced to
take participation in the survey but they are willingly participating and consent form shows
wiling participation. Fair treatment is done by everyone by conducting the research. That is why
random sampling technique is used while getting 30 respondents from the Southern Business
Technologies Ltd. This technique is considered so that every individual can get equal chance for
being selection and there are no scope for getting bias. While in non random sampling technique
there are scope of bias and also every individual is not given equal chance. So that is why this
technique is not considered.
Participants personal information which is collected by the researcher will also kept
confidential. As researcher is not allowed to share any of the personal information of the
participants with anyone without their permission. As personal information can be used by fraud
person and participants can even get blackmailed. In order to ensure that the collected data is
authentic, so that is why latest data is collected as information which is published after 2016 is
only taken into consideration. Original data is used as it is and no modification is made in the
existing data so that it can be said that the data is authentic. Authenticity is also maintained at the
time of survey. Clear and simple questions are asked in the questionnaire so that participants will
not face any problem and survey can be conducted smoothly. While taking participants from the
organisation. All the norms of the Southern Business Technologies Ltd. Are followed patiently.
Proper information is given to the participants and organisation that why the research is
conducted and what is the aim of the research (Eisend and Kuss, 2019). This research will
definitely helpful for the society. As this research can be used by many small and large
4

organisation of UK at the time of using social media marketing strategies. They will understand
that after using social media strategies how they can increase their sales and productivity.
This will be helpful in giving push to their business. This research can be used by the
industry in which Southern Business Technologies Ltd. Belongs. As this industry can take
benefit from this research and can increase their sales and profits. This research is also helpful
for the scholar. As those scholar who will research on the similar topic in the future can take help
or guidance from this research.
Research ethics are the moral principle that help researchers to take the research without any
intention to harm the participants of the investigation or the entire society. Using ethical
guidelines while conducting the research is necessary so that the research can look valid. Safety
of participants are the most important ethical practice so that is why confidential information of
the participants will be kept safely by the researcher. When ethical guidelines are followed
properly then it ensures that the research is error free and that will also help researcher in getting
support from the society. While ascertaining findings of the research, researcher should have also
taken care of ethics (Farrimond, 2017).
Ethical practice is the practice which the researcher should have taken at every step of the
research. The research is also free from plagiarism and no information is taken from any
unverified sources. While analysing social media handles also ethics are taken into consideration.
Those social media strategies are not used which does not fall under ethics. As there are many
strategies through which sales can be increased but are non-ethical. So that is why only ethical
social media strategies are considered.
5

REFERENCE
Book and Journal
Farrimond, H., 2017. The ethics of research, Chapter 3. The BERA/SAGE handbook of
educational research.
Eisend, M. and Kuss, A., 2019. Research Ethics and Research Practice. In Research
Methodology in Marketing (pp. 211-233). Springer, Cham.
Silva, M.C. and Lampley, T.M., 2017. Ethics of research.
Rhodes, R., 2018. The goodness of ethics in research ethics review. Journal of Medical
Ethics. 44(7). pp.489-490.
Online
What is Research Ethics., 2021. [Online]. Available through: <
https://libguides.library.cityu.edu.hk/researchmethods/ethics>
6