Abstract: | Ethical dilemmas involving issues of harm-benefit, privacy, deception, and sponsor relations are encountered frequently in geographical research. Geographers have not always been sensitive to ethical issues, nor have they always been able to reconcile their obligations to understanding and knowledge with those of respecting the dignity and integrity of research subjects. This paper reviews these fundamental ethical concerns. Four strategies for handling ethical difficulties are reviewed: individual self-regulation, disciplinary responses, institutional controls, and external controls. Individual self-regulation is recommended. |