For example, a micro-theory in ethics could be described as ethical issues faced by an individual, like situations that provide conflicts of interest due to differences in beliefs and value systems. An individual who, due to his or her cultural orientation, follows a religious teaching that prohibits eating pork. As such, micro-theory examines the factors that could create ethical challenges for the person to defy or violate this belief. In so doing, the research should take into account his or her own ethical stance while conducting the study, as well as the well-being of the participants.
Another example is a research which aims to determine the responses of individuals when exposed to significant risks, such as being exposed to hold-up situations or subjected to aggressive bullying. As revealed, the focus of the research is the individual and the key questions that researchers should ask themselves while conducting the micro-level of inquiry are as follows: (1) does the research or study impinge on the right to privacy of the individual? (2) Is the research offensive to the participants in any way? (3) Would the research cause significant emotional distress to any of the participants or respondents? (4) Did the researcher assume an ethical stance throughout the study?
References
3.3 Ethics at Micro, Meso, and Macro Levels. (2012). Retrieved from Sociological Inquiry Principles: Qualitative and Quantitative Methods: http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/sociological-inquiry-principles-qualitative-and-quantitative-methods/s06-03-ethics-at-micro-meso-and-macro.html
BookRags, Inc. (2017). Differences in Macro and Micro Level Theories Essay . Retrieved from bookrags.com: http://www.bookrags.com/essay-2005/3/1/164449/5316/#gsc.tab=0
Cambridge University Press. (2017). Definition of “micro” - English Dictionary. Retrieved from cambridge.org: http://dictionary.cambridge.org/us/dictionary/english/micro
