Exploring the Research Ethics Domain for Postgraduate Students in Computing

In this paper Nicholson’s (1994) four-fold conceptual framework has been applied to ethical issues in research by postgraduate students undertaking theses or dissertations in computing. Ethical dilemmas are explored showing how knowledge in this area is acquired, shared and integrated from one research project to the next and within any one postgraduate cohort. Ethics of performing research within computing rather than professional codes are discussed. A major challenge in raising the level of awareness of professional ethics is in encouraging students to make the upwards shift from not only learning and applying technical skills but also integrating these skills with knowledge of the larger social system in which technology sits. A broad overview of how research ethics is practiced by postgraduate students undertaking thesis or dissertation is also discussed.