Research Ethics in Geography

Geography is the study of space, place, movements, and human-environmental interactions. Geographers study all aspects of our surroundings, and this includes humans and all living flora and fauna. In this disciplinary area, research needs to consider ethics from the standpoint of protecting humans, other living beings, and nature. Ethics is particularly important when geographers work in vulnerable communities or endangered species. The main considerations that geographers encounter when it comes to ethics are harm-benefits, deception, impact on natural resources, and sponsorship. Ethical thinking and approaches in geography mean researchers need to have a strong understanding of cultural norms as well, especially in cross-cultural settings and where environmental appreciation and policies differ.