University of Toronto Press Seduction of Ethics: Transforming the Social Sciences

Review 'The Seduction of Ethics is an easily-read volume suitable for students, professionals, and even lay readers...The logic is flawless, the data are compelling, and - above-all the reader is left with a sense that things can be changed.' - Jim Thomas - Symbolic Interaction, Online - February 2014 'Van den Hoonaard offers a remarkable study from the methodological point of view... Hoonaard's contribution to the debate on approaches to ethical governance in the social sciences demarcates a new stage.' - Igor Gontcharov - Transnational legal Theory, vol 4:01:2013 'The Seduction of Ethics is a powerful, combined-arms assault on the system of ethics review of the social sciences.' - Zachary M. Schrag - Contemporary Sociology; vol 41:05:2012 'Seduction of Ethics is grounded in a solid theoretical and conceptual framework. The logic is flawless, the data are compelling, and above all the reader is left with a sense that things can be changed.' - Jim Thomas - Symbolic Interaction, vol 37:02:2014 Product Description Formal research-ethics committees in Canada now function as an industry, costing over thirty-five million dollars annually. The Seduction of Ethics argues that while ethics codes are alluring to the public, they fuel moral panic and increase demands for institutional accountability. Will C. van den Hoonaard explores the research-ethics review process itself by analysing the moral cosmology and practices of ethics committees regarding research and researchers. The Seduction of Ethics also investigates how researchers have tailored their approaches in response to technical demands - leading social science disciplines to resemble each other more closely and lose the richness of their research. Van den Hoonaard reveals an idiosyncratic and inconsistent world in which researchers employ particular strategies of avoidance or partial or full compliance as they seek approval from ethics committees. About the Author Will C. van den Hoonaard is professor emeritus in the Department of Sociology at the University of New Brunswick.