A Level Sociology OCR Practice Exam

Which principle refers to the independence of the researcher's values from their research findings?

1. Informed consent

2. Value neutrality

3. Objectivity

4. Research ethics

The correct answer is: Value neutrality

The principle that refers to the independence of the researcher's values from their research findings is known as value neutrality. This concept highlights the importance of researchers being impartial and maintaining an unbiased stance throughout the research process. When researchers practice value neutrality, they strive to ensure that their personal beliefs, preferences, and values do not influence the way they conduct their research or interpret their findings. This is crucial for ensuring the credibility and reliability of the research outcome. In contrast, informed consent relates to the ethical obligation of researchers to ensure that participants understand the nature of the research and agree to it voluntarily. Objectivity focuses on the importance of being fact-based and free from personal bias, but it doesn't specifically encapsulate the researcher's detachment from values in the same way that value neutrality does. Research ethics encompasses the broader principles that guide researchers in conducting studies responsibly, including issues like confidentiality, consent, and integrity, but again, it is not solely focused on the principle of separating personal values from research outcomes.