1. © 2016 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Ethics and Research
Chapter 4
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2. What is Considered Ethical Regarding Research?
Ethics refers to the question(s) of right and wrong.
Researchers must consider if it is “right” to conduct a particular study.
The question to ask is: “Will any physical or psychological harm result from this particular research?”
By practicing ethical procedures, the researcher is doing “what is right.”
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3. Statement of Ethical Principles
Ethical behavior is defined as conforming to the standards of conduct of a given profession or group (Webster’s New World Dictionary).
An agreement among researchers dictates what is considered right and wrong.
The Statement of Ethical Principles suggests three very important issues:
The protection of participants from harm
Ensuring confidentiality of the research data
The question of deceptions of subjects
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4. Protecting Participants from Harm
Considered the most important ethical consideration of all the principles
It is the responsibility of all researchers to ensure that participants are protected from physical or psychological harm, discomfort, or danger due to research procedures
Any study that could cause harm should not be considered
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5. Protecting Participants from Harm (cont.)
Another responsibility of the researcher is to obtain informed consent from each participant
Three important questions to ask about harm in a study are:
Could people be harmed?
If so, could the same questions be investigated in a different way?
Are the results important enough to risk possible harm to the participants?
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6. Ensuring Confidentiality
Once data are collected, researchers should make sure that no one else has access to the data.
Names of subjects should be removed from all data forms, if possible.
The researcher should have no knowledge of particular data linked to a subject.
All subjects should be assured that any data collected will be held in confidence, as well as that all participants have the right to withdraw from the study, if necessary.
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7. Example of an Informed Consent Form
CONSENT TO SERVE AS A SUBJECT IN RESEARCH
I consent to serve as a subject in the research investigation entitled:
________________________________________________________________
The nature and general purpose of the research procedure and the known
risks involved have been explained to me by ____________________________
The investigator is authorized to proceed on the understanding that I may
terminate my service as a subject at any time I so desire.
I understand the known risks are: __________________________________
I understand also that it is not possible to identify all potential risks in an experimental procedure, and I believe that reasonable safeguards have been taken to minimize both the known and the potentially unknown risks.
Witness _________________________ Signed _________________________
(subject)
Date __________________________
To be retained by the principal investigator

8. Should Subjects Be Deceived?
Many studies cannot be carried out unless some deception takes place.
Deception refers to intentionally misinforming the subjects to some or all aspects of the research topic.
The possibility of harm could be created from these actions, so the following guidelines have been developed:
Whenever possible, conduct the study using methods that do not require deception
If alternative methods cannot be devised, the researcher must determine if deception is justified
If participants are deceived, the researcher must ensure that the participants are provided with sufficient explanation as soon as possible
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9. Examples of Unethical Research Practices

10. Research With Children
Studies using children as participants present some special issues for researchers.
The young are more vulnerable, have fewer legal rights, and may not understand the language of informed consent.
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11. Research With Children (cont.)
The following guidelines need to be considered:
Informed consent of the parents or guardians is required regarding the use of minors as subjects
Researchers do not present themselves as diagnosticians or counselors in reporting results to parents, nor do they report information given by children in confidence
Children may never be coerced into participation in any study
Any form of remuneration for the child’s services does not affect the application of these ethical principles
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12. Example of a Minor Consent Form
Parental Permission for a Minor to Participate in Research
Research Title
 A. PURPOSE AND BACKGROUND
My name is ________. I am a (graduate student/ faculty member) at State University and I am conducting a research study about __________. I am inviting your child to take part in the research because he/she is in the after school program I am studying.
B. PROCEDURES
If you agree to let your child participate in this research study, the following will occur:
Your child will be invited to participate in an after school tutoring project. The tutoring sessions will take place between 3:45 and 4:45 PM on five Tuesdays and Thursdays during the spring semester.
C.  RISKS There may be some discomfort for your child at being asked some of the questions. Your child may answer only those questions they want to, or they may stop the entire process at any time, without penalty to them.
I have been given a copy of this consent form. Participation in this research study is voluntary. I agree further to indemnify and hold harmless State University and its agents and employees from any and all liability, actions, or causes of actions that may accrue to the subject minor as a result of his/her activities for which this consent is granted.
Child’s name ______________________________________________________
Signature of Parent _________________________ Date _________________
Signature of Researcher ______________________ Date _________________

13. Regulation of Research
The National Research Act of 1974 requires that all research institutions receiving federal funds establish an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review and approve research projects.
The IRB must have at least five members, including both men and women, at least one person nonaffiliated with the institutions, and one nonscientist. Those with potential conflicts of interest are excluded.
UPM has an IRB which reviews research proposals to be done by UPM researchers
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14. Criteria for IRB Approval institutional review board
Minimization of risk to participants
Risks that may occur must be reasonable in relation to anticipated benefits
Equitable selection--i.e., the proposed research does not discriminate among individuals in the population
Protection of vulnerable individuals
Informed consent
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15. Criteria for IRB Approval (cont.)
Participants must have the right to withdraw from the study at any time without penalty
Informed consent must be appropriately documented
Data being collected must be monitored to ensure the safety of the participants
Privacy and confidentiality must be ensured
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16. © 2016 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
Department of Health and Human Services Revised Regulations for Research with Human Subjects
The revised guidelines exempt many projects from regulations by the HHS (Health and Human Services)
The list of projects now free from the control of the HHS can be found under “More About Research” in your text.
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17. Guidelines for Qualitative Research
Bogdan and Biklen offer following suggestions for qualitative researchers:
Avoid research sites where informants may feel coerced to participate
Honor the privacy of informants
Tell participants being interviewed how long interviews will take
Protect identities of informants
Treat informants with respect
Clarify terms of any agreement negotiated with participants
Tell the truth when findings are reported
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