They are in pursuit of knowledge. At times it may be unethical to remain a researcher and not cross the line and become an activist. It is therefore important to emphasise accountability in the research process. All these shape the research agenda, design and, possibly, the research results. The legitimacy, quality and scientific value of one's work is assessed in peer reviews before their utility is deemed worthy for publication in journals or books.
Respondent populations can inform the direction and methodology of the research.
They can assist in negotiating ethical dilemmas and guide the researcher's agenda. The researcher's political and ideological causes influence and shape the research agenda and process, and they shape the collection and interpretation of information, and the selection of respondents. All these forces and actors need to be considered as major factors in a researcher's work. Democratisation of the management and process of research is a means of achieving greater accountability. However, in actualising such accountability it is important that the researcher retain autonomy in the interests of scientific method and analysis.