Toward a Design Research Ethics

As a field of practice still in its relative infancy, it is a worthwhile exercise to consider interior design research in light of any and all ethical concerns that such research could produce. In their Practical guide to behavioral research: Tools and techniques (1980), Robert Sommer and Barbara Baker Sommer outline the main tenets of the American Anthropological Association's code of ethics which, in large part, serve as an excellent basis for an inquiry into what a similar code for design research practices should include.

They write, "The code states that anthropological researchers

1. have primary ethical obligations to the people, species, and materials they study and to the people with whom they work.
2. must do everything in their power to ensure that their research does no harm the safety, dignity, or privacy of the people with whom they work
3. must determine in advance whether their hosts or providers of information wish to remain anonymous or receive recognition and make every effort to comply with those wishes.
4. should obtain in advance the informed consent of people being studied, providing information, owning or controlling access to material being studied, or otherwise identified as having interests that may be impacted by the research.
5. who have developed close and enduring relationships with either individual persons providing information or with hosts must adhere to the obligations of openness and informed consent, while carefully and respectfully negotiating the limits of the relationship.
6. although they may gain personally, they must not exploit individuals, groups, animals, or cultural or biological materials." (p. 26)

As someone who has studied anthropology and sociology, there is a straightforwardness and simplicity here which I appreciate. But designers will no doubt encounter additional ethical considerations, especially those designers who practice sustainability and embrace the core concepts of the "Three E's": ecology, economy and equity. Along these lines, I will attempt to rewrite the tenets outlined above to include the wide variety of implications inherent in design research.

A code for design research ethics should include:

1. No harm should come to the physical or mental health, safety, dignity, welfare or privacy of the individuals participating in research.
2. Researchers will not interfere with the stated purpose of a particular built environment or the practices of its occupants.
3. Extreme care should be taken not to negatively affect the attitudes of the users of a space towards either the space itself or those perceived to be in charge of its operation.
4. Informed consent of research participants must be acquired prior to the research.
5. Design research must operate free from the economic support of individuals or companies involved in the various building trades.
6. Researchers must not disrupt or exploit individuals, groups, animals, biological materials, and cultural practices as they relate to the built environment. Such practices will not be unduly influenced or altered by the researchers.
7. Design should be inclusive of all levels of abilities of users of a space from both a functional and sense-based standpoint.