Abstract:

The paper focuses on issues associated with ethical behaviour and research on the internet. The authors note the reasons for increased interest in research on the internet and describe the link between ethical behaviour and research quality, examining the role of codes of conduct. The issues covered include respondent privacy, poor research practice, researcher indulgence and cookies as well as security breaches designed to be destructive (cyber-anarchy) or gain profit (cyber-terrorism/ extortion) or simply to steal research stimuli, data or even research innovations and tools (netspionage). The paper is based on a review of the literature and interviews with research colleagues in the United Kingdom and United States.