Methodology in Business Ethics Research: A Review and Critical Assessment

Donna M. Randall; Annetta M. Gibson

doi:10.1007/978-94-007-4126-3_10

Methodology in Business Ethics Research: A Review and Critical Assessment

Donna M. Randall
, Annetta M. Gibson

Albion College

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

Abstract

Using 94 published empirical articles in academic journals as a data base, this paper provides a critical review of the methodology employed in the study of ethical beliefs and behavior of organizational members. The review revealed that full methodological detail was provided in less than one half of the articles. Further, the majority of empirical research articles expressed no concern for the reliability or validity of measures, were characterized by low response rates, used convenience samples, and did not offer a theoretic framework, hypotheses, or a definition of ethics. Several recommendations, including a reviewer rating form addressing methodological decisions and inclusion of methodologists on the review panel, are offered to improve methodological rigor in published ethics research.

Original language	American English
Title of host publication	Citation Classics from The Journal of Business Ethics
Subtitle of host publication	Celebrating the First Thirty Years of Publication
Editors	Alex C. Michalos, Deborah C. Poff
Place of Publication	Dordrecht, Netherlands
Publisher	Springer
ISBN (Print)	9789400741263, 9789400741256
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-4126-3_10
State	Published - 2013

Publication series

Name	Advances in Business Ethics Research
Volume	2

Disciplines

Business Law, Public Responsibility, and Ethics

Access to Document

10.1007/978-94-007-4126-3_10License: Unspecified

Cite this

Methodology in Business Ethics Research: A Review and Critical Assessment. / Randall, Donna M.; Gibson, Annetta M.
Citation Classics from The Journal of Business Ethics: Celebrating the First Thirty Years of Publication. ed. / Alex C. Michalos; Deborah C. Poff. Dordrecht, Netherlands: Springer, 2013. (Advances in Business Ethics Research; Vol. 2).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter (peer-reviewed) › peer-review

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AB - Using 94 published empirical articles in academic journals as a data base, this paper provides a critical review of the methodology employed in the study of ethical beliefs and behavior of organizational members. The review revealed that full methodological detail was provided in less than one half of the articles. Further, the majority of empirical research articles expressed no concern for the reliability or validity of measures, were characterized by low response rates, used convenience samples, and did not offer a theoretic framework, hypotheses, or a definition of ethics. Several recommendations, including a reviewer rating form addressing methodological decisions and inclusion of methodologists on the review panel, are offered to improve methodological rigor in published ethics research.

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SN - 9789400741263

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A2 - Michalos, Alex C.

A2 - Poff, Deborah C.

PB - Springer

CY - Dordrecht, Netherlands

ER -

Methodology in Business Ethics Research: A Review and Critical Assessment

Abstract

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Disciplines

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