Ethics in Research Guiding Principles & Practical Applications of Ethical Research
Historical Context Nuremburg Code (1947) – Guidelines regarding ethical treatment of participants
Historical Context Tuskegee Study (1963) Milgram Obedience Study
Historical Context National Research Act (1974) National Research Act (1974) Belmont Report
I. Respect for Persons Informed consent: 1.Information about what will occur in the study
Deception When a researcher knowingly withholds (passive deception) or gives false information (active deception) about the purpose of the study
Respect for Persons Informed consent: 1.Information about what will occur in the study 2.Participants must understand the consent 3.Participation must be voluntary
II. Beneficence The benefit to risk ratio must be in favor of benefits Minimal Risk: When harm or discomfort experienced in research is no greater than wheat might be experienced in the normal course of daily lives or routine physical/psychological exam
III. Justice The risks/benefits should be equally distributed This element has to do w/fairness in selecting participants
I. RESPECTII. BENEFICENCEIII. JUSTICE Valid Designs Competent / Ethical Researcher Informed/ Voluntary Consent Compensation ID Consequences Participant Selection Report Results Accurately Acknowledges Contributions Consider Consequences to Society Application of The Belmont Report
Fraud An explicit effort to falsify or misrepresent data
Plagiarism The representation of someone’s ideas or words as your own – Quotes/paraphrasing – Smith (1990) said, “On average, men are taller than women” (p. 120). – Is this plagiarism?: On average, males are taller than females.
Historical Context National Research Act (1974) National Research Act (1974) Belmont Report Institutional Review Boards
The IRB Five Members with Various Backgrounds – Scientists, nonscientists, community member Three Possible Decisions – Approve, Disprove, Modify
The Belmont Report Respect for Persons – Autonomy – Informed Consent Beneficence – Benefits vs. Risk Assessment Justice – Equal Distribution of Benefits and Risks in Society
IRB Decisions APPROVENOT APPROVE BENEFICIAL RESEARCH HARMFUL RESEARCH BENEFICIAL RESEARCH HARMFUL RESEARCH
IRB Criticisms Preventative focused Universal themes applied to specific cases make for inconsistent reviews Guardians of “political correctness” Time & cost of IRB process
DO IRBs prevent research ethic violations? 1 in 3 scientists admitted to violating research ethics