3. Research Ethics Flashcards
Research ethics must be addressed in which stage of the study and kept in mind in which stage of the study?
addresses in the initial stages and kept in mind in every phase
First priority of a social researcher
ensure that the people being studied are not harmed by their participation.
Knowledge is of secondary interest to…
…participant safety
Risk assessment is a key feature of all research. Researchers must constantly balance between…
…potential gain & risk of harm
REB
research ethics board
Why do we need a REB (tri-council policy statement)?
The policy is due to inadvertent harm caused to participants, the researcher may not recognized all the risks, and there has been a long history of unethical research which has resulted in more stringent REBs.
What are three things REBs can do?
- approve
- require modifications
- reject a study
Ethics approval for quantitative work (4)
Considered by some to be easier to obtain
Stated hypothesis and specific plan for testing
Data gathered from one person at a time
Some REBs favour quantitative work bc it is considered more scientific
Ethics approval for qualitative work (2)
Flexibility for emerging themes means indeterminate methods
May capture data on people that would not want their activities observed
What are the three core principles of research ethics?
- respect for persons
- concern for welfare
- justice
What core principle states: Research subjects are not “objects” or resources to be used for some end, and individuals Individuals have basic human rights that include dignified treatment by researchers.
Respect for persons
what is part of “respect for persons”? (3)
- informed consent
- information sheet that outlines research
- consent form: prospective participant must have the ability to understand + consent
Reactive Effect
participants know they are being observed for specific purposes
Use of Deception (4)
Deception can be seen as problematic.
Deception must be clearly justified.
Debriefing is important asap
Deception must be used as last resort and sparingly
what core principle is: concerned with the well-being of person, group, community affected by the research. Seeks to avoid harm, embarrassment, and inadvertent identification
concern for welfare
what is part of “concern for welfare”?
- identity and privacy issues
- confidentiality
- random response technique
- duty to report on child abuse/crime
- mandatory reporting rules should be told to participants before they participate
What core principle considers that burdens and benefits of research should be spread evenly across society and that no person or group should be exploited or systematically excluded for research?
justice
What is part of “justice”? (2)
- Principle of no harm should be followed
- In practice, potential harm should not outweigh the potential benefits
What must the research be to convince the REB?
- sound
- ethical
- do not harm participants
- make contribution to knowledge
