11 - Research Ethics

Question 1

the first priority of a social research should be….

Answer 1

to ensure that the people being studied are not being harmed; the welfare of the subject should take priority over the acquisition of knowledge

Question 2

Canadian research must comply with ____.

Answer 2

TCPS2 - Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans

Question 3

Research Ethics Board

Answer 3

before research can begin, project must be approved by REB

• made up of researchers from a variety of disciplines and usually a community member from outside the institution; conflict of interest because REB is internal to institution
• REB can approve, request modifications, or reject a proposal
• if research is over a long period of time, REB may hold periodic reviews
• REB approval must be obtained before subjects are approached
• more difficult to get ethics approval for qualitative vs quantitative
• all about risk assessment, balance between potential gain and risk

Question 4

general ethical principles

Answer 4

disputed, overlapping principles that are outlined by TCPS2

Respect for person, concern for welfare, justice

Question 5

Respect for persons

Answer 5

humans should not be treated as objects or means to an end; individuals have basic human rights including the right to dignified treatment. Free, informed, and ongoing consent must be given.

Question 6

deception

Answer 6

deception allows access to info about terrorists, cults, white-collar criminals, etc

• deception should be used as a last resort
• deception should be used as sparingly as possible
• anyone deceived should be debriefed as soon as possible

Question 7

who can give consent?

Answer 7

anyone competent to make a decision
the ill, incapacitated, with a language barrier, too young or old, etc, cannot give consent
-ie ability to understand and ability to actually consent is vital; limited ability persons may need an agent

Question 8

Concern for welfare

Answer 8

respect for privacy and confidentiality

-welfare covers all aspects of well being of person, group, or community affected by research

Question 9

pseudonyms

Answer 9

used in order to prevent embarrassment or harm (esp to their reputations or personal relationships). Pseudonyms may not be enough, especially if it involves a smaller sample

Question 10

random response method

Answer 10

protect researchers as well as subjects when dealing with controversial or illegal activities

• flip a coin. if tails, say “yes” not matter what. If heads, answer truthfully.
• ex: 60% “yes” - 50% tails = 10% yes

Question 11

covert research

Answer 11

research in which subjects are not informed that they are being watched. Intrusive, non-consensual, must outweigh harm, minimize reactivity, reassure anonymity of non consenting participants

Question 12

Secondary participants

Answer 12

those who enter study whose social role is not central to research
consent is often not obtained

Question 13

Justice

Answer 13

the burdens and benefits of research should be spread evenly across society

• no one should be exploited nor systematically excluded from its benefits. not possible to identify all circumstances where harm is likely (ex: Zimbardo and Stanford Prison Experiment)
• fairness in adjudications of research proposals by REB

Question 14

avoid research that is….

Answer 14

harmful or disturbing –> quality of life should not be decreased through participation. paid participation may involve risk beyond participants normal behaviour.