Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Reseacher As Whistleblower: The Ethical Challenges Posed By Sensitive Research, Tom Clonan

Articles

This paper will explore the complex ethical issues raised when ‘non traditional’ insider research is conducted in sensitive and secretive workplace settings. The paper will outline the experiences of the author between 1996 and 2000 - as a Captain in the Irish Army - when he conducted PhD research into the status and roles assigned female personnel in the Irish military. This research uncovered evidence of the widespread bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault of female soldiers, sailors and air crew in the Irish military. The paper will address a number of ethical issues as they apply to the …