7 - Ethical Implications Of Research Studies + Theory

Question 1

Define ethical issues

Answer 1

Issues that arise due to the conflict between the rights of participants in studies and the goals of the research to produce valid, authentic data
(Affects ppts)

Question 2

Define ethical implications

Answer 2

Consequences of research studies that impact the ppts and people in wider society
(Affects ppts + others in wider society)

Question 3

Define social sensitivity

Answer 3

Studies in which there are a particular chance of ethical implications/consequences

Question 4

Who can socially sensitive research affect?

Answer 4

• The ppts
• The researchers + their institutions
• Groups in society (e.g. certain race)

Question 5

Give an example of socially sensitive research with major ethical implications

Answer 5

Cyril Burt

• Did sensitive research on heritability of intelligence
• ‘Found’ 80% heritability rate using 53 pairs of twins
• Research results used to establish 11+ (affects teenagers + their educational opportunities countrywide)
• Research later discovered as falsified, but 11+ still used

Question 6

What are the four ways to adapt the research process in order to minimise social sensitivity + ethical implications?

Answer 6

1) Consider the research question
2) Consider how to conduct the research with the ppts
3) Consider how the institution will use the research
4) Consider how the research will be interpreted + used in the world

Question 7

How can considering the research question minimise social sensitivity + ethical implications?

Answer 7

• Question should be phrased objectively so it doesn’t impact how its interpreted
• E.g. Kitzinger + Coyle said referring to homosexual relationships as ‘alternative relationships’ in questions promotes a heterosexual bias (heterosexuality appears to be the ‘norm’)

Question 8

How can considering how to conduct the research with the ppts minimise social sensitivity + ethical implications?

Answer 8

• Ppts should have: informed consent, protection from harm, privacy/confidentiality
• E.g. in socially sensitive domestic abuse research, need confidentiality to be safe + prevent violent implications from ex-partners

Question 9

How can considering how the institution uses the research minimise social sensitivity + ethical implications?

Answer 9

• Research with ethical implications should only be published if it benefits society, not for an institution’s own financial gain

Question 10

How can considering how the research will be interpreted and used in the wider world minimise social sensitivity + ethical implications?

Answer 10

• Research with ethical implications shouldn’t be published if it could give support to existing unfair prejudices
• Once its published, sensitive research is most likely to gain the most coverage from the media (can’t reverse publication!)

Question 11

Give 2 evaluation points to support the conduction of socially sensitive research

Answer 11

Socially sensitive research has some positive implications

• Sensitive research in the past has led to establishment of stringent boards (e.g. BPS) to check ethics
• Sensitive research can reduce prejudices on underrepresented groups (e.g. Kinsey Report - 5000 men interviewed on sex, reduced view of homosexuality as an abnormality)

Policy makers rely on socially sensitive research

• When creating policies on sensitive topics such as childcare, education, crime, etc research is needed to objectively guide policy
• ONS + other data-collection bodies now work with psychologists to gain high quality research on many topics

Question 12

Give 2 evaluation points to argue against the conduction of socially sensitive research

Answer 12

Research support for socially sensitive research having neg implications

• Cyril Burt
• Sensitive research has prevented teenagers from having equal access to educational opportunities, despite issues with the research’s validity
• Neg implications of sensitive research can be large scale + long lasting (even if the research is proven to be fake)

Negative implications are so bad many boards are preventing the conduction of socially sensitive research

• Socially sensitive research clearly has negative implications as a lot of it isn’t approved
• American Psych Association (APA) ethical committees approved 95% of non-sensitive research proposals + only 50% of sensitive ones
• Implications can be bad and are being avoided