The ethics of engagement: Research relationships in an applied linguistics partnership with a professional medical body

• DOI: 10.3138/jalpp.20074
• Publication Date: 2025-02-04T18:38:53Z
• Authors: Sarah Atkins

This paper considers the ethical dimensions of interprofessional research relationships in applied linguistics, an area that has perhaps received less attention than other types engaged field. As a discipline, linguistics considered how can be conducted ethically with participants, mindful benefiting those who are subjects research. However, professional and institutional contexts involves complex multiple parties, where ‘with’ different participants groups raises considerations about benefits does not. A case study provided from project medical education, looking at differential attainment examination for UK general practitioners (GP), demonstrates these difficulties particularly politicised setting. Various examined turn, early stages becoming involved local activity establishing data collection, through to involvement ‘key informants’, analytic sessions incorporating perspectives GP trainees developing educational interventions. Such require negotiation between all making it difficult researcher always claim ‘independence’ requiring ongoing decisions roles obligations. Nevertheless, engaging relational activities is itself argued part conduct