Research Ethics Ethical issues and guidelines

In Selecting a Topic Selecting sensitive topics that could impede into a person’s privacy must be considered carefully – EX: Studying students with ADHD, autism, learning disabilities, dyslexia, broken homes, family tragedies, criminal backgrounds, etc.

Three Basic Approaches Deontological – Posits a universal code. – EX: Using deception is wrong. It involves lying and avoiding fully informed consent Ethical Skepticism – Refutes deontological – Feels right and wrong are important, but relative to culture and time. It is a researcher’s personal struggle and ultimate decision Utilitarianism – The good of the many outweigh the good of the few

Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment US Public Health Service conducted a 40-year study (1932 – 1972) on the effects of untreated syphilis on black men in Macon County, Alabama. 399 men in late stages. Doctors performed tests and autopsies, but never administered any treatments or cures. Participants were never informed. They got free rides, hot meals, and a $50 burial stipend

Other questionable studies LSD experiments Exposure to radiation on cancer victims, not to cure, but to study the effects of radiation (Pasternak & Cary, 1995) Radiation exposure to troops Treatment of humans with experimental drugs War of the Worlds (Wiki ref to Radio Foundation) War of the Worlds Radio Foundation

Doing surveys with minors Conducting research with K-12 students is easy for us as we have such easy access to them in groups Fraught with may problems, primarily consent and rights to privacy

Doing surveys with minors One study questioned students attitudes toward HIV. Experimenter got a lot of confessions of abuse that had to be reported Surveys about sexuality compel students to try and peak or observe how peers respond to certain questions. Kids who finish early are teased as virgins. Kids who admit to bi-curious tendencies are ridiculed

Five Rules to Protect Participants 1.You have to have informed consent of participant or parent 2.Any deception must be justified 3.Participants must know they are free to withdraw at any time 4.Participants are protected from physical and mental discomfort, harm, danger 5.Participants have anonymity rights

Upon completion A debriefing or dehoaxing is required Desensitizing is required. – Ex: Student loses self-esteem because of the deception inherent in the test; perhaps it was a test to determine to what degree a student would cheat, lie, say cruel things about a friend