The ethics of anonymity and confidentiality: reading from the university of South Africa policy on research ethics
Dube, Luyanda; Mhlongo, MA; Ngulube, Patrick
Orthodox research is guided by renowned ethical principles which are rooted in the
philosophy of positivism. The positivist paradigm assumes that the researched
are vulnerable and need to be protected from harm by disabling their identity.
Adherence to these orthodox ethical norms is regarded as the litmus test of a virtuous
research practice. Any deviance from these ethical norms is viewed as a serious violation
of the research ethical code. However, whilst the significance of these ethical principles
is renowned, there is a differing agenda driven by ethicists and some researchers that
seek to question their ethicalness and universal appropriateness. This is based on the
conviction that these principles are not attuned to other unique systems such as
indigeneity. This article looks specifically at the ethicalness of the principles of
anonymity and confidentiality as embodied in the Unisa Policy on Research Ethics
(2007). This was a qualitative study informed by an interpretive philosophical paradigm
that used document analysis as a method for assessing the ethicalness of anonymity and
confidentiality as espoused in the University of South Africa (Unisa) Unisa Research
Policy. This article concludes that although there is a discernible good intent from the
institution detected from the Unisa Policy on Research Ethics (2007) stipulations, there is
a lack of clarity or distinct direction towards the ethicalness of ethical codes. It recommends that Unisa needs to relook its’ research ethical principles and align them with
socio-political realities of the African indigenous milieu.
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