Ethics: Doing the Right Thing Chapter 3

The Ethical Imperative Balancing two priorities when doing research Protecting research participants and upholding boarder human rights. Gaining knowledge and finding a clear answer to a research question.

The Ethical Imperative Researchers have a strong moral and professional obligation to act ethically at all times and in all situations Scientific Misconduct Scientific misconduct = violating basic and generally accepted standards of honest scientific research, such as research fraud and plagiarism.

The Ethical Imperative Scientific Misconduct Research fraud = to invent, falsify or distort study data or to lie about how a study was conducted. Plagiarism = using another person’s words or ideas without giving them proper credit and instead passing them off as your own. Unethical but Legal

The Ethical Imperative Unethical but Legal Typology Of Legal And Ethical Actions In Research LEGAL ETHICAL Yes No Moral and Legal Legal but Immoral Illegal but Moral Immoral and Illegal

Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants The Origin of Ethical Principles with Humans Protect Research Participants from Harm Avoid Harm To Research Participants Physical harm  Psychological abuse, stress, or loss of self-esteem   Legal harm

Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants Participation Must be Voluntary and Informed Principle of Voluntary Consent = never force anyone to participate in a research study. Participants should explicitly and voluntarily agree to participate. Informed Consent = An agreement in which participants state they are willing to be in a study and they know what the research procedure will involve.

Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants Limits to Using Deception (dishonestly/trickery/fraud etc.) in Research Deception is Acceptable Only Within Strict Limits it has a clear, specific methodological purpose use it only to the minimal degree necessary and for shortest time; obtain informed consent and do not misrepresent any risks; always debrief. Avoid compulsion.

Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants Privacy, Anonymity, and Confidentiality Privacy has two components: Anonymity = not connecting a participant’s name or identifying details to information collected about him or her. Confidentiality = holding information in confidence or not making it known to the public.

Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants Confidentiality Anonymity YES NO Gather data so it is impossible for anyone to link it to any name and release findings in aggregate form. Privately link details about a specific participant to a name, but only publicly release findings in aggregate form Release details about a specific participant to the public, but withhold the name and details that might allow someone to trace back to the person. Unethical Reveal publicly details about a person with his/her name

Ethical Issues Involving Research Participants Extra Protections for Special Populations Special populations = people lacking the cognitive competency or full freedom to give true informed consent. Formal Protections for Research Participants Institutional Review Board (IRB) = a committee of researchers and community members that oversees, monitors, and reviews the impact of research procedures on human participants. Code of Ethics = A written, formal set of professional standards that provides guidance when ethical questions arise in practice.

Ethics and the Sponsors of Research Arriving at Particular Findings Limits on How to Conduct Studies Suppressing Findings Whistle-blowing = when a researcher sees unethical behavior and after unsuccessful attempts to get superiors to end it, goes public to expose the wrongdoing.

Political Influences on Research Political concerns can influence and interfere with the research process.

Value-Free and Objective Research Multiple Meanings Value free has two meanings: research without any prior assumptions or theory, research free of influence from an individual researcher’s personal beliefs/assumptions. Objective has two meanings as well: focus only on what is external or visible, follow clear and publicly accepted research procedures and not haphazard, invented personal ones.