Given that my research topic is a very nascent field, I believe that qualitative research methodology will be most beneficial to my research proposal regarding Digital Ethics. Ethical questions, in general, are challenging to answer as ethics can be situational and contextual. Ethics are not easily codified and measured. As Digital Ethics is not yet defined in public policy nor in our conventional wisdom, understanding the current perception and discussions of this topic within larger organizations would be my proposed starting point. I may be answering our next project preparation assignment but qualitative methodology would allow for one on one interviews with organizational leaders, case studies on ethical framework development in other areas, and review of existing academic writings on this topic. As I narrow my research topic towards defining digital ethics, I currently believe that qualitative methodology would be most beneficial to answer the question “What is digital ethics?”.
Thought you might be interested in this:
https://www.facebook.com/urspcs/posts/10158371801668148
Thank you Kenny! I am most definitely interested – I appreciate your sharing!
A study of digital ethics that captures survey and interview data is a useful approach, but the question I have is whether you’ll try to support or confirm an hypothesis with a quasi-experimental study, or whether you’ll examine corporate statements on ethics using some kind of textual analysis. While interviews will be important, the framework you use to describe and define digital ethics, even in a preliminary way, will be essential to determining the methods and scope of your study. The theoretical approach you take to ethics — meaning the defining characteristics of ethics that you develop for your study — will be essential to taking the next step in addressing your research questions.
Thank you, Professor Hocutt for your feedback! A clarifying question, please? Is your build for me that I start with a hypothesis or a framework for digital ethics that can be supported or refuted through my research topic? My thinking had evolved that the definition would be the findings from the research… is that not feasible? Appreciate your time!