Social Work Research

In the UK, the Department of Health's Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care (RGF) (DoH, 2001) requires that an independent ethical review is undertaken for all health and social work research. It is in the process of consulting and developing systems for appropriate social work ethical review that is comparable to those in existence within Britain's health sector. This article's purpose is to advance current debates by examining these ethical review initiatives and by so doing, facilitate a broader understanding of what is specific to social work research both within and beyond the UK. It is hoped this will strengthen and help legitimise understanding of its nature during the search for research excellence. It is suggested that situation ethics may provide a useful framework for approaching ethical review as it places an emphasis on the unique situation surrounding any given moral choice facing an individual at a particular time. [Reprinted by permission of Sage Publications Ltd., copyright 2007.]