A study note on moral realism and moral anti-realism with reference to research ethics in social science

A study note on moral realism and moral anti-realism with reference to research ethics in social science (information from perplexity.ai)

My question 1: "What is moral realism all about with reference to research ethics in social science?"

The reply: "Moral Realism: Definition and Core Ideas

 is the philosophical position that asserts the existence of objective moral facts—truths about right and wrong—that are independent of individual beliefs, feelings, or cultural perspectives. According to moral realism, moral statements (such as "lying is wrong") are not merely expressions of opinion or societal convention; rather, they refer to real features of the world and can be objectively true or false.

Key points of moral realism include:

• Moral facts exist independently of what anyone thinks or feels about them.

• : they can be true or false, similar to factual claims about the physical world.

• : individuals or societies can be mistaken about what is morally right or wrong.

When applied to research ethics in social science, moral realism has important implications:

1. 

• Moral realism supports the idea that there are objective ethical standards governing research practices—such as honesty, respect for participants, and avoidance of harm—that are not simply matters of consensus or professional convention.

• This means that ethical guidelines in social science (e.g., informed consent, confidentiality) are not just social constructs but reflect underlying moral truths about how researchers ought to treat participants.

2. 

• By grounding research ethics in objective moral facts, moral realism challenges ethical relativism, which holds that what is ethical depends solely on cultural norms or individual preferences.

• This is especially relevant in cross-cultural research, where moral realism provides a basis for criticizing harmful practices even if they are accepted locally.

3. 

• If moral realism is correct, researchers and institutions can be held morally accountable for their actions, not just professionally or legally.

• Ethical breaches (such as fabricating data or exploiting vulnerable populations) are wrong in an objective sense, regardless of whether they are discovered or punished.

4. 

• Moral realism offers a foundation for resolving ethical dilemmas in research by appealing to objective moral facts rather than subjective preferences or majority opinion.

• This can guide researchers when faced with complex decisions, such as balancing the pursuit of knowledge with the rights and welfare of participants.

Aspect	Moral Realism	Moral Anti-Realism / Relativism
Nature of moral claims	Objective, truth-apt	Subjective, culturally or individually determined
Ethical standards	Universal, independent of opinion	Vary by culture, group, or individual
Moral accountability	Researchers are accountable to objective moral facts	Accountability is to norms or preferences
Resolving dilemmas	Appeal to objective moral truths	Appeal to consensus or context

 

Conclusion

 in social science research ethics is the view that ethical standards for research are grounded in objective moral facts. This perspective underpins the belief that some research practices are right or wrong regardless of cultural norms or personal beliefs, providing a robust foundation for ethical guidelines, critique, and accountability in social science research."

My question 2: "Clarify a bit more about this topic with reference to research ethics in Housing Studies and MBA dissertation projects."

The reply: "Moral Realism and Research Ethics in Housing Studies

 asserts that there are objective moral facts—truths about right and wrong—that exist independently of personal or cultural beliefs. In the context of research ethics for Housing Studies, moral realism provides a foundation for evaluating research practices beyond local norms or institutional guidelines.

Key Implications in Housing Studies:

• : Researchers must respect the dignity, rights, and welfare of participants, regardless of local customs or economic pressures. For example, when studying housing-related health hazards, the obligation to avoid harm and respect privacy is grounded in objective moral truths, not just regulatory requirements.

• Protection of Vulnerable Groups: Housing research often involves marginalized populations. Moral realism supports the view that exploiting vulnerable groups for the benefit of others is objectively wrong, even if such practices are normalized in some contexts.

• Informed Consent and Community Involvement: Ensuring that participants (or their guardians) fully understand the research and voluntarily consent is not just a procedural step, but a moral imperative. This is especially critical in studies involving children or disadvantaged communities.

• : Ethical breaches—such as failing to report hazardous conditions or misusing data—are considered objectively wrong, independent of whether they are sanctioned by local authorities or overlooked by peers.

MBA dissertation projects require strict adherence to ethical standards. Moral realism reinforces the idea that these standards are not arbitrary but reflect universal moral obligations.

Key Implications in MBA Research:

• : Plagiarism, data manipulation, or misrepresentation are objectively wrong, regardless of academic pressures or cultural attitudes toward academic dishonesty.

• Informed Consent and Confidentiality: MBA researchers must ensure participants understand the purpose and risks of the study, and that their data is kept confidential. These are not just institutional requirements but reflect deeper moral truths about respect for persons.

• : Researchers have a moral duty to avoid causing harm, whether through biased reporting, misuse of data, or exposing participants to risk. This duty holds even if the research could yield significant business or academic benefits.

• Transparency and Accountability: Disclosing conflicts of interest, funding sources, and limitations is not just about compliance; it is about upholding objective standards of fairness and responsibility.

Aspect	Housing Studies	MBA Dissertation Projects
Core Ethical Focus	Protecting vulnerable groups, privacy, consent	Academic honesty, consent, confidentiality
Objective Moral Standards	Avoiding exploitation, ensuring safety	Avoiding plagiarism, data manipulation
Informed Consent	Critical for vulnerable populations	Essential for all participants
Accountability	To participants, community, and universal ethics	To participants, institution, universal ethics

 Conclusion

Applying moral realism to research ethics in both Housing Studies and MBA dissertation projects means recognizing that ethical standards—such as honesty, respect, and protection from harm—are grounded in objective moral truths. This perspective strengthens the foundation for ethical decision-making, ensuring that researchers are accountable not only to institutional guidelines but also to universal moral principles."

Note: 

"The question: Do universities in North America, Europe, South East Asia and PRC have more preference on moral realism or moral antirealism?

The reply: Universities in different regions—North America, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the People's Republic of China (PRC)—tend to emphasize ethical frameworks in research grounded more in moral realism than moral anti-realism, though the extent and explicitness of this preference vary due to cultural, educational, and institutional differences."

A collection of blog notes on using chatgpt for research purpose.

Also study the video of meta-ethics.