Ethics and Truth in Archival Research

Ethics and Truth in Archival Research

Collective Memory

With how difficult it can be to understand ethics and truth in regards to archival research, it can be almost impossible to find it in many educational research projects. As such, when it does appear, it can be unrecognized or entirely transparent.
The research conducted in this paper took place in the former Czechoslovakia and, considering the rocky political history of the nation, was heavily influenced in how Tesar was able to collect and access the data found.
This history helps the article show the productive capabilities of archival institutions as well as examine the ethical dilemma of uncovering certain types of tender information. Just like in any other situation, discovering sensitive information can lead to strong, sudden and sometimes unforeseen consequences; all results entirely dependent on how the researchers proceed once retaliated against. The author argues with his article that regardless of the complexity (or lack thereof) of truth and ethics, the archives themselves should be an ethically neutral research space and should not and does not need approval from research ethics committees to proceed or alter in their path for answers.

Tesar, Marek

History of Education: Journal of the History of Education Society

2014 June 4

Donahue, Marisa

Journal Article

Tesar, Marek. "Ethics and Truth in Archival Research." History of Education 44, no. 1 (January 2015): 101-14. doi:10.1080/0046760X.2014.918185.
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0046760X.2014.918185