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of the cohorts because of which the results may not be found to be applicable when generalized.
Further, while causality may be explored through RCTs, uninteresting associations are created
that may have no meaning or in fact be misleading. This again is an ethical concern. (See
Economic Times, Oct. 17, 2019 ; Fives, et al., 2014).
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For an RCT to be ethically permissible, it needs to follow several conditions: social and scientific
values, scientific validity, Institutional Review Board [IRB] approval, comprehensive informed
consent, protection of participants’ rights, and equipoise (being in a state of equilibrium.) That
is, in an RCT believing that there is no ‘better’ option for either group or that the solution being
tested is neither better nor worse. Social scientists have argued that this does not happen in
social science research using RCTs. Most poor countries do not have the framework to meet
these conditions. India is yet to develop ethical guidelines for RCTs in social research although
the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) does have ethical framework for the conduct
of clinical trials, which are RCTs.

It is likely that RCTs will be used more frequently in coming times to test the efficacy or
new programmes or interventions. While randomization may well be a useful method in a
programmatic context, it is imperative that social scientists be aware of the ethical and other
issues that RCTs throw up.

Box 2

Ethical Questions in Qualitative Research

Deception in social research: In some kinds of research, especially qualitative research,
researchers feel the need to be part of the community anonymously. A researcher may choose to
go undercover to study a gang of drug dealers. Clearly, informed consent does not apply here.

What is the researcher to do when he or she sees illegal activity? Is there an obligation to reveal
information to the law enforcement authorities? Or does the responsibility to the research
participant community hold greater weightage? Is the data obtained through this process valid
and useable in research? May such data be revealed to the relevant authority breaking the
promise of confidentiality and anonymity to the participant?

While there is no clear answer, it is obvious that if medical professionals, psychologists, and
psychiatrists, are bound by their professional ethics not to reveal information about their
patients/clients, there is sufficient precedence for the social scientists to do the same.

Participant observation is another research strategy that poses ethical dilemmas. Often
researcher find themselves so involved with the participants that it becomes difficult to
retain the scientific detachment necessary for research. It is also difficult to decide whether
information obtained may be used even if it is covered with anonymity.

Qualitative research often requires building close relations with the participant. This may affect
how the researcher deals with the content of research. Often researcher engaged in sensitive
research, devise ways and means of disengaging periodically in order to gain perspective and
distancing so as to function as scientists.

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