Indicadores agregados de calidad ambiental

Moral and ethical concerns were important since this study involved human participants and it used semi-structured interviews that directly explored the views and experiences of the participants’ lives (DiCicco-Bloom & Crabtree, 2006). Hence, even though this study had prior Ethics Approval from the Human Research Ethics Committee of Curtin University (see Appendix D1), there were a number of moral and ethical concerns that were stringently considered before commencing as well as during the process of this study. One key aim was for the researcher to apply at least the same ethical standards that are required in Australia, but in addition add a layer of local participation and engagement with the process to provide local authenticity and consent. Additionally, the moral and ethical considerations were imperative to minimise any negative impact affecting the participants as well as the data collected. The moral and ethical consideration for this study are described next.

3.10.1 Permission and Participant Information

The data generated for this study involved participants from the SINU and 21 high schools in Solomon Islands. Hence, appropriate permissions were sought, in order, from the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD), education authorities, the SINU, high schools, and the participants themselves. This was in accordance with the Ethics approval from Curtin University and the Ministry of Education Research Act 1982 of the Solomon Islands. When seeking permission,

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the research proposal which included the ethics approval, proposed dates for its start and completion, study aims and benefits, research design and details on how the results would be used, was provided. Added to that, sample forms including letters, informed consent forms and survey instruments were submitted for approval (see Appendix E for letters seeking permission for this study).

After permissions were granted, participant information and informed consent forms were provided to the participants through the school principals. The researcher also provided verbal information when the written information was hand delivered to the principals and the participants. Participants were reminded that their involvement in this study was on voluntary basis with their informed consent (see Appendix F1 for participant’s information sheet and Appendix F2 for informed consent form). It was made clear to all participants that they could withdraw at any time without prejudice. Particularly, the participants who voluntarily involved in the one-on-one interviews and the focus group interview.

3.10.2 Privacy and Confidentiality

Privacy and confidentiality of the participants and the data that they provided for this study were maximised. All participants invited to complete the surveys were made aware of their rights to no longer be involved or to withdraw at any time without prejudice. They were made aware that pseudonyms would be used instead of their real names such that their anonymity was maximized for them as well as for the information that they provided. Their data would remain anonymous in all reporting of results. With that, the participants’ demographic information and profiles were used only for the purpose of this study. Hence, the researcher continuously monitored and took stringent care when recording, storing and analysing data to maximized privacy and confidentiality. To ensure that participants’ names were not readily identified, random codes known only to the researcher were used.

All data ranging from completed surveys, audio recorded interviews and field notes to transcripts were kept and stored in locked cabinets in the researcher’s locker at Curtin University. Electronic copies were also strictly stored using the concept of “audit trail” (Lincoln and Guba, 1985, p. 319). Using audit trail the researcher was able to re- identify data specific to an individual and destroy it when participation was withdrawn any time during data analysis. This was one of the key components that also

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demonstrated the credibility and dependability of qualitative studies. So both the raw quantitative data and qualitative data were coded and filed, such that they could be easily retrieved and cross-referenced with the electronic copy when required. The codes were separated from the raw data to ensure that anonymity was maintained when data analysis was completed.

This study also maximized the anonymity of the high schools by using codes since the highs schools were close to each other, thus they can be easily identified by their communities at large. Even more, continuous strict consideration was executed and monitored to maximize the privacy and confidentiality of the trainee science teacher participants since the anonymity of the SINU is not easily addressed because it is the only university in Solomon Islands.

3.10.3 Potential Harm and Dispute Resolution

The researcher continuously monitored and assessed the circumstances and situations surrounding participants’ involvement by seeking their opinions with regards to their comfortability during the interactions. Participants were reminded of the rights to voice any discomfort that may negatively influence their participation. Nevertheless, such a potential harm was minimized since participants were made aware initially with their informed consent. That said, there were no disputes during data collection and analysis. However, a mechanism to resolve disputes was in place in case of any dispute. The initial dialogue should be carried out by the researcher. If no resolution was reached then the supervisor would be notified for further consultation. The supervisor’s and the researcher’s email addresses were provided on the participant’s information sheet.

3.10.4 Other Ethnical Concerns

One of the other ethical concern for this study was time. Data were collected when participants were also performing their responsibilities as well as studying. Hence, adequate time was given when negotiating and organising time for the administration of surveys and interviews. To overcome some of the time constraints, participants were given options of when to submit their surveys. Two participants were also given the option to submit written responses instead of one-on-one interviews. In fact, it was

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anticipated that the number of times and amount of time required for participants to complete the survey, as well as their general willingness to participate, could limit the quality of the data they provided. The researcher ensured that participants did not feel that their time and privacy was invaded or improperly used. As such, the researcher was conscious with time when administering the survey and conducting interviews.

Another ethical concern was the fact that the researcher was a science teacher as well as a Solomon Islander. In conducting the study with science teacher participants in Solomon Islands, the researcher was vigilant to avoid conflicts of interest. Therefore, data were generated from a vantage point of a researcher and not from another science teacher. This lead to the ethical concern of biasness. However, the researcher was extremely conscious not to dictate the results, nor coerce participants by means of bribes or influence other interest group to provide favours.