Ethical Dimensions of Action Research

　昨年英国のBlackwell Science社より『Action Research in Heaith Care』（2002年弊社より翻訳版刊行予定）を上梓したDr. Morton-Cooperは，Warwick大学で教鞭をとる傍ら，看護教育・研究に関わる実践的なコンサルタント業務も行なっている。本号焦点ではアクションリサーチを取り上げており，ここではアクションリサーチにおける倫理的問題について書き下ろしていただいた。

　This article will begin by examining some of the contextual issues currently affecting clinical and health services research and the reasons why action research has such potential to modify change practice in health care settings across the world. It will then be argued that researchers must give due regard to the ethical implications of action research and its possible impact on vulnerable communities of patients, families and health workers involved in action research, initiatives.