ETHICS AND THE ASSESSMENT OF QUALITY-OF-LIFE

The topic of quality of life (QoL) has attracted substantial research in the past decade. In this period the development of measurement stra tegies has nor only been supported, but to a large extend driven, by t hose requiring the direct application of Endings. This is particularly true of QoL research as an aspect of health outcomes. Ethical conside rations for QoL researchers in the health context are outlined. Two ge neral questions are considered: when and what aspects of QoL are impor tant in health settings and what psychosocial consequences follow for individuals from the investigation of their QoL? Many of the considera tions raised relate to generic issues for research viith a range of ps ychosocial phenomena. Some particular issues pertain to the popularity of the concept of QoL and the demand to apply methodologies which are in development, and to the competing perspectives on QoL across disci plines, The outline of ethical issues across the range of concerns of the QoL researcher illustrates that ethical practice requires active c onsideration at every stage of the research process.