Reflections on the procedural and practical ethics in researching professional social work writing.

This article examines the ethical dimensions involved in the multi-agency UK research project WiSP (Writing in Professional Social Work Practice in a Changing Communicative Landscape), focusing on both procedural ethics and ethics in practice. It highlights the complex regulatory requirements researchers must navigate from academic institutions and social work agencies, emphasizing that formal approvals alone are insufficient without ongoing informal negotiations and relationships at organizational, operational, and individual levels. Drawing on reflective accounts from social workers and stakeholders, the paper underscores the importance of continuous dialogue throughout access, participation, analysis, and dissemination stages, illustrating how ethical practice extends beyond codified procedures to include collaborative decision-making about research priorities and data use. The study argues for greater institutional recognition of ethics in practice, advocating for research approaches that balance rigorous academic standards with responsiveness to participant-stakeholder concerns in professional domains.