Learner research and systems trials | Project team login | Deliverables

Values and ethics

We believe that

The fact that many young adults have poor literacy and numeracy skills, and little or no interest in education and training, is both a personal tragedy and a waste of a potentially valuable national resource
Learning is a natural human activity and most people will engage in learning if given the right encouragement
Many young people tend to be excited by, and interested in, new technologies
Technology enhanced learning, with appropriate support provided by experience educators, can provide a convenient, personal and non-judgmental alternative to traditional education
All of us involved in education and training have a duty to break down barriers to learning including physical, psychological, cultural and financial barriers.

Ethical Considerations

It is important for us to have an ethical framework to guide the activities of the researchers, mentors and learners involved in the m-learning project’s research activities. These are broadly based on the ethical guidelines published by the British Educational Research Association.

In carrying out m-learning research there is a clear need to:

be sensitive to the needs of participants, sponsors and audiences
maintain respect for the people and communities who provide information and sites for enquiry
carry out all aspects of the research with honesty and openness
clarify with informants at the start the degree of confidentiality or anonymity that will be appropriate and possible
engage critically with the issues that emerge in the course of the research
ensure that public outcomes of the research are comprehensible to a range of audiences
be mindful of issues relating to difference in culture, religion, socio-economic status, ability, gender, sexual orientation and other significant matters that might introduce bias into the conduct of the research or its reporting
be mindful that unforeseen ethical issues may arise during the conduct of the research that will require attention and sensitivity.

The foregoing statements are considered to be important guiding principles when carrying out any research. In the specific context of the m-learning project there is also a need to be considerate of the age and vulnerability of some of the potential learners.

Where young people have a history of particular problems, perhaps related to homelessness, abuse, substance abuse or criminal activity, they are likely to be reluctant to reveal personal information such as address, education and work history or even name. Such reluctance will be respected and will not be a barrier to involvement in the research/trials as these young people are an important group within the project target audience.

Young people’s consent to take part in m-learning project research activities must be explicitly sought. They should not feel coerced into taking part and will be made aware that they are free to withdraw from the project at any stage. All the data collected will only be identifiable to a particular learner via the mentors in the collaborating organisations and the LSDA researcher – after which pseudonyms will be used.