Lecture note on research ethics issues and advices: for Housing Studies students

Lecture note on research ethics issues and advices: for Housing Studies students

 

Regarding Hong Kong part-time Housing Studies students doing dissertation projects, please suggest 2 main research ethics issues likely to be encountered and suggest 2 practice advices to the students with reference to the following research method cases: 

1.Conducting online questionnaire survey to friends to learn their opinions on the Housing Policy of Hong Kong in 2026. 

2. Conducting participant observation to study perceptions of residential quality of the elderly residents in the Public Estate in Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong 

3. Conducting semi-structured interview to learn the views of the domestic violence status of the residents in the public estate in Wong Tai Sin, Hong Kong.

For part-time Housing Studies students in Hong Kong undertaking dissertation projects, the two most salient research ethics issues are informed consent and voluntariness, and protection of vulnerable participants and confidentiality—especially when research touches on sensitive topics or involves groups with diminished autonomy.rss.hku+2

Two main research ethics issues

1. Informed consent and voluntariness (risk of coercion/undue influence)

Across Hong Kong university ethics guidelines, researchers must ensure participation is voluntary, based on sufficient, comprehensible information, and free from undue influence or inducement. This is especially challenging in student projects where recruitment may rely on personal networks (e.g., friends, classmates) or where participants may feel obliged to help.hkmu.edu+4

• In an online questionnaire sent to friends about Hong Kong’s 2026 housing policy, there is a risk that friends feel social pressure to respond, undermining true voluntariness.hksyu+1
• In semi-structured interviews on domestic violence, participants must clearly understand they can refuse or withdraw without consequence; power dynamics and topic sensitivity heighten the need for robust consent processes.researchintegrity.law.hku+1

2. Protection of vulnerable participants and confidentiality (privacy, sensitivity, and data security)

Hong Kong ethics policies emphasise special protections for vulnerable groups (e.g., elderly, people experiencing domestic violence) and strict confidentiality for sensitive data. Vulnerable participants may have limited capacity to consent or may be at greater risk of harm if identities or responses are disclosed.cuhk.edu+2

• Elderly residents in Tsuen Wan public estates may face cognitive, sensory, or language barriers; researchers must adapt consent materials and ensure privacy during observation.cuhk.edu+1
• Domestic violence status is highly sensitive; any breach of confidentiality could expose participants to stigma, retaliation, or safety risks. Guidelines require that no publicly disclosed information identify specific persons or organisations without written consent.eduhk+3

Two practice advices (with reference to your three method cases)

Advice 1: Strengthen informed consent and reduce coercion in recruitment and data collection

Design consent and recruitment to maximise clarity and voluntariness, particularly where social ties or sensitive topics are involved.hkmu.edu+1

• Online questionnaire to friends (housing policy opinions):
• Embed an information sheet and explicit consent tick-box at the start of the survey, stating purpose, voluntary nature, right to withdraw, and how data will be used/stored.eduhk+1
• Avoid repeated reminders or personal appeals that could feel pressuring; make it clear that non-response carries no social penalty.hksyu
• Ensure the survey is anonymous by design (no names/IPs stored) if possible; if not, explain confidentiality safeguards clearly.hksyu+1
• Semi-structured interviews (domestic violence in Wong Tai Sin):
• Use a written or audio-recorded consent process that explains risks, benefits, confidentiality limits, and the right to skip questions or stop at any time.hkmu.edu+1
• Conduct consent discussions in a private, safe setting; allow participants to choose interview location/time to reduce perceived pressure.eduhk+1

Advice 2: Implement robust confidentiality and vulnerability safeguards in design, fieldwork, and data management

Treat elderly residents and domestic violence survivors as potentially vulnerable; build extra layers of protection into every stage.cuhk.edu+1

• Participant observation (elderly in Tsuen Wan public estate):
• Obtain site permission (e.g., from estate management) and, where feasible, individual consent for those you closely observe; if observation is public/naturalistic, still avoid recording identifiable details without justification.hksyu+1
• Use field notes with pseudonyms/codes, avoid photographs or audio unless essential and consented; store data securely and limit access to the research team.eduhk+1
• Adapt materials for comprehensibility (simple language, large print, Cantonese/Mandarin as appropriate) and check understanding verbally where needed.hkmu.edu+1
• Semi-structured interviews (domestic violence):
• Collect minimal identifying data; separate consent forms from interview transcripts; use participant codes in all analysis and reporting.eduhk+1
• Store recordings and transcripts in encrypted, password-protected files; define a clear retention period (e.g., 3–6 years) and secure disposal plan.hksyu+1
• Prepare a referral pathway (e.g., contact details for social services or NGOs) in case participants become distressed or disclose imminent risk, and explain this in the information sheet.eduhk+1

These practices align with Hong Kong university ethics requirements that emphasise minimal risk, informed consent, protection of vulnerable participants, and strong confidentiality/data security for all human-participant research.

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