Ethical Dilemmas in Social Science: A Comprehensive Analysis

This report delves into the ethical dilemmas present within social science, specifically focusing on the controversy surrounding compulsory vaccination. It examines the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice, highlighting their relevance in navigating complex societal issues. The report further explores the professional code of conduct expected of researchers and healthcare professionals when addressing public health concerns. A personal reflection on ethical considerations within a food processing business as a volunteer is included, emphasizing the importance of ethical awareness and responsible decision-making in various professional settings. The report concludes by underscoring the necessity of upholding ethical standards to foster trust and ensure the well-being of society.

Ethics in Social
Science

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
TASK...............................................................................................................................................3
Ethical dilemmas.........................................................................................................................3
Professional code of conduct.......................................................................................................6
Reflection.....................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION...............................................................................................................................8
REFERNCES:................................................................................................................................9
Books and Journals:.................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
The report aims to analyse the concept of ethical dilemma in the topic of
compulsory vaccination. Ethics are the most important part in the life if every individual.
These ethics provides the difference between right and wrong facts, activities and
values which is surrounding into the market. Ethics are the most vital process which
keeps the society connected with right obligations. Therefore, ethical dilemma is about
having problem in decision making while looking for more than one options. As an
individual comes up with many situation to choose the best decision which is in favour
of society and valuable as per ethical perspective. As per the ethical dilemma of
compulsory vaccination, this being the cause of various countries when people are not
accepting vaccinations in their life (Bourgeois, 2021). It creates many contrasts and
community issues that arises conflicts among people and government regulation.
Therefore, this report is going to focus on many ethical principles and professional code
of conduct to create awareness in society and professional workplace. Also, a personal
reflection will be discussed in the report to accurately present the arguments based on
real life experience.
MAIN BODY
TASK
Ethical dilemmas
Ethical dilemmas are the issues and problems which arrive due to unsure about
the decisions. An individual takes many decisions and choose options in their life which
might not effective as per the ethical viewpoints. Ethics consist all the norms, values,
behaviour, culture and perceptions of others. The ethical issues consist negligence of
facts and other perspective which will be beneficial for society. If a person involves in
activities which is only profitable for the benefit of their own self, this cat in not
acceptable in the ethical consideration. The society will not encourage to do such acts
and humanity which will Crete problems in their living. In case of compulsory
vaccination, the communities are being disagree to accept vaccinations as it is not the
right act in their perspective (Carpenter, 2018). Therefore, the government is providing
benefits to provide great support in order to reduce health problems of individuals.

Vaccination is the only way to get rid of Covid-19 and make assure that people get safe
and secure in the country (Hunter, 2018). The ethical dilemma begins here, when people
are not ready to accept the public health vaccinations due to fear of diseases and side
effects. Their beliefs and culture does not accept these vaccinations and some people
still believes in traditional ways to get cure and avoid any health treatments. The
vaccines are not only for Covid-19 rather there are many diseases syndrome which
require pre cure to stop it from being regulate more. Therefore, the vaccination is cure
for many problems which take place in a human body as they get tested under the
supervisions of professional experts. It gets tested by analysing population, study
design and location to make it worth buying. The researcher goes into a deep study
which require licensing, safety standards and ethical discussions. So that, these health
experts are now facing ethical dilemma while creating awareness for vaccines into
general public. People are not ready to change their beliefs which create a trauma. The
experts could not differentiate in between what they did wrong and how this describes
the poor ethical concern. These concerns are mainly about regulating necessary
screening and treatment when the experts identify the actual disease, the assuring of
vaccination as per different body types and how to test the vaccines in local community
as what results does it give in practical manner (Dinata, 2021). For example, in case of
develop vaccines for malaria, the test reports disclosed that there are many areas of
study which become difficult to understand for the experts. The side effects of the
vaccines, research design and issues in therapy. These are the important vaccination
concerns which require ethical practices in order to create a positive image in the eyes
of society(Reich, and.et.al 2020). The concern of informed consent is also an effective
aspect for ethical considerations. Therefore, in order to come out with this dilemma, the
experts needs to look at various ethical principles which are described below:
Autonomy: It is the most important principle of the ethics which shows that an
individual engaged in the public related activities needs to respect others. An
individual’s has their own rights to choose for themselves which is most fits with their
interest. The health experts are require to perform their duty by promoting confidentiality
and privacy. This privacy is not about keeping the information safe and out of the reach
from others. It is all about getting rights to get freedom and autonomy to avoid any

interference from others. As per this right, the compulsory vaccination which is become
an ethical dilemma for the society, the experts needs to work on this principle (Melia,
2018). They give freedom and confidentiality of society and public interest and not force
anyone to get the vaccines. People have right to live their life by choosing own way of
living in the society. They do not want interferences in culture and beliefs to accept the
vaccination. The experts need to provide all the confidential facts about the pros and
cons of vaccinations to the general public and let them decide whether they are
interested to get vaccinated or not.
Beneficence: As per this principle of ethics, the individual has their duty to act in
the best interest of the society. It is obvious that, any experts needs to work as per the
interest and wants of the clients but it should be distinguish from Paternalism. This
means that, nothing should be happens which is out of the will of the person. The
individuals behaviour shows their prioritise areas which needs not be crossed by any
person directly or indirectly (Ferguson, and Clark, 2018). Therefore, the experts and
researcher who carries out study for compulsory vaccination, there is need to be
influenced by the society and each individual will. This will greatly helps in providing
vaccination assistance to the individual in a better way. This will be right in the ethical
perspective which shows that, the individuals could choose their priorities over the facts
and compulsory regulations.
Non-maleficence: maleficence practices are those which harm the individuals in
somewhat ways. Therefore, it is duty of the individuals and experts to protect them from
harm and think for the society benefits. It is the most required ethical concern which
needs to be present in every individual. It is a concept of humanity which is applied in
every area of life. Whether economical, social and professional level. This activity
involves that, any act which is not right or good for the individual irrespective of own
profits. It should not be performed. There are some violations of this duty which includes
patients comfort, destroy of hopes, stop any treatments which start becoming troubles
for the individuals (Ghosh, 2018). These violations are important to taken into
consideration in order to maintain confidentiality and right to stop the things when they
went wrong. This principles is required to work on the ethics which will easily

differentiate what is wrong and right for the individuals facing problems. Stop harms and
misshapen will resolve the problem of ethical dilemma.
Justice: It refers to giving fair autonomy to present own perspectives and avoid
any wrong acts when an individual is not liable for it (Li, 2021). Giving justice is to give
right to stand for own self. It is all about treating fairly to all the individuals as they all
belongs to same society and under same government regulations. Therefore, it is
necessary that, this principle needs to be follow in order to keep free from ethical
dilemma. Justice keep a person under confidentiality for what they did and own actions
whether In positive or negative manner. A true and honest person needs to get justice
for any wrongful acts happen with them (Godoy, and.et.al 2019). Therefore, this principle
is required to applies in case of compulsory vaccination. If a person gets harm from any
of the vaccination and get to see any changes in health, they have total right to sue the
vaccination agency who are involved in its formations. Therefore, it will help others to
prevent from getting vaccinated with wrong and harmful substances.
The principles are effective and responsible for creating a valuable ethical
concern for society. It shows that, there is need for the requirement of taking these into
consideration in order to overcome with the dilemma which becomes problems for the
society.
Professional code of conduct
A professional code of conduct in ethical dilemma is all about behaving in a right
manner which is acceptable in the society. This code of conduct established set of rules
and culture that needs to be followed by every employee working in professional
practice. Ethical dilemma in social work is required in order to work between two or
more principals which may arise conflict at the professional practice. This code of
conduct are necessary to carry out any activity in utmost honesty and integrity. There
are various ethical dilemmas which is based on different perspective in social work. As
per different point of view in professional working purchase as a financial advisor of
physician lawyers and business there are different ethical codes of conduct which
needs to be maintained by individuals (Guerriero, 2018). The case of compulsory
vaccination are done by group of scientists and researchers who involved in health and
medical field. These individuals work under set of certain rules and regulations that

needs to be maintained by presenting this vaccinations into Society for their use.
Therefore these professional codes of conduct are described below:
Informed consent: this professional code of practice , the researchers are
required to adhere all the guidelines about health and safety measures in vaccination
protocols. The need to get consent of general public and other authorities in order to
start work on vaccination. As per the national childhood vaccine injury act of 1986,
doctors are advised to give vaccine process to the parents and give evidence of the
vaccination in terms of statement (Iphofen, and Kritikos, 2021). It depends State wise as
different states have various rules and laws for the consent of vaccinations . the
researchers inside these needs to take answers and consent of the opponents for the
vaccination process.
Assess issue colon is also a professional code of conduct that after delivering
services, the business or individuals are not allowed to take a step behind and be ready
to influence the individuals for any cause or issue arrive after taking vaccinations.
Reflection
In my own reflection of personal experience while delivering social work as a
volunteer there are various issues which create ethical dilemmas. While working for an
organization which works for retail and Food processing business , there are various
aspect that shows my interest towards ethics and confidentiality. In retail and food
market , the business is need to be very conscious and particular about every law and
regulation about safety security , food preservation and freshness. Therefore it seems
that ethics are play very important role in this organisation to maintain standard and
carry out work activities in such manner. I have analysed that , ethics shows how an
organisation work for the society welfare and take actions for their benefits not for only
self profits (Kwiatkowski, 2018). So that, I I have seen that the food which is some into
the society needs to be well good and preserve to maintain health benefits for mainly
children. I found an issue about ethical dilemma which shows that, the employees of
organisation required vaccination in order to protect themselves from covid-19 disease.
This vaccination become compulsory for all over the world so in food sector also. The
employees are the one who deliver products and get in touch with children and other
customers in Newmarket. They need to be aware about vaccinations policies and it

significance for themselves and others. But many employees are not agreed with this
provision as they are not likely to accept the vaccination. These employees are not
ready to get vaccinated which is not under the organisation policy and might affect the
environment (Laczniak, and Murphy, 2019). So I find that this issue is create a ethical
dilemma for both company and employees that may create negative impact for girls top
therefore the company needs to create awareness for the same and launch a campaign
in which all the employees get vaccinated in front of the directors. This will maintain
positive impact on society and shows all the principles of ethics.
CONCLUSION
The report has concluded that ethics are most vital part for the organisation and
individuals while at education household or professional life. These ethical dilemmas
are issues in relationship of using two concepts. Report has shown many principles of
ethics and professional code of conduct in order to maintain sincerity honesty and
integrity while delivering any practice society. Also the self reflection has presented the
significance of ethics and its reliability for the organisation. All the employees needs to
be much aware about it and be practical while taking decision for both on self and
others life.

REFERNCES:
Books and Journals:
Bourgeois, M., 2021. Virtue ethics and social responsibilities of researchers. Science,
Technology, and the Good Life: Perspectives on Virtues in Modern Science and
Technology.
Carpenter, D., 2018. Virtue ethics in the practice and review of social science research: The
virtuous ethics committee. In Virtue ethics in the conduct and governance of social
science research. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Dinata, I.R., 2021, February. Implementation of Code Ethics ASN In Secretariat Daerah Major
Of Blitar. In 1ST INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE IN SOCIAL SCIENCE
(ICONISS) 2020.
Ferguson, A. and Clark, J.J., 2018. The status of research ethics in social work. Journal of
evidence-informed social work, 15(4), pp.351-370.
Ghosh, D., 2018. Risky fieldwork: the problems of ethics in the field. Energy research & social
science, 45, pp.348-354.
Godoy, and.et.al 2019. Ethics and social responsibility: A bibliometric study of document
production based on Web of Science in the period of 2006 to 2016. Environmental
Quality Management, 29(1), pp.101-111.
Guerriero, I.C.Z., 2018. 14. Ethics in Social Science and Humanities Research: Brazilian
Strategies to Improve Guidelines. In The Ethics Rupture (pp. 267-282). University of
Toronto Press.
Iphofen, R. and Kritikos, M., 2021. Regulating artificial intelligence and robotics: ethics by
design in a digital society. Contemporary Social Science, 16(2), pp.170-184.
Kwiatkowski, R., 2018. Questioning the virtue of virtue ethics: Slowing the rush to virtue in
research ethics. In Virtue Ethics in the Conduct and Governance of Social Science
Research. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Laczniak, G.R. and Murphy, P.E., 2019. The role of normative marketing ethics. Journal of
Business Research, 95, pp.401-407.
Li, P., 2021. Knowing as being: Psychology, limits to knowledge, and an ethics of
solidarity. Theory & Psychology, 31(2), pp.199-219.

Melia, K., 2018. The Professional Integrity of Social Science Researchers–Can Virtue Ethics
Help?. In Virtue Ethics in the Conduct and Governance of Social Science Research.
Emerald Publishing Limited.
Reich, and.et.al 2020, February. Teaching computer ethics: a deeply multidisciplinary approach.
In Proceedings of the 51st ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science
Education (pp. 296-302).
Hunter, D., 2018. 19 Research Ethics Committees–What are They Good for?. The SAGE
Handbook of Qualitative Research Ethics.