Chapter 2 - Ethics In Research Methods Flashcards
What is ethics in research?
Doing what is morally and legally right in the conducting of research
As mentioned in lecture, what are some of the ethical horror stories mentioned?
- Nazi doctor experiments
- Tuskegee syphilis study - withholding penicillin from uneducated black males
- Cold War experiments - LSD in drinks, exposure to radiation, children taught to stutter
What is the Stanley Milgram Obedience Study and why was it unethical?
Trying to discover the causes of the Holocaust; subjects were put in a position of emotional stress
What is the Zimbardo Simulated Prison Study and why was it unethical?
People volunteered to either be prisoners or guards in a Standford University building; unethical because the guards got carried away
What was the Humphrey’s Tearoom Trade and why was it unethical?
Involved secret male homosexual behavior in public restrooms; Humphrey followed them to their houses
What is Project Camelot and why was it unethical?
studying student and peasant insurgency movements in Chile; researchers were acting as spies for intelligence agencies
As mentioned in lecture, what are the ethical rules in research?
- no harm to participants
- voluntary participation
- anonymity and confidentiality
- no deceiving respondents
- codes of professional ethics (transparency)
What is research fraud?
occurs when researchers purposely fabricate or misrepresent their findings
What was the Piltdown Hoax?
Claim that the fossil remains of the “missing link” between apes and humans had been discovered
What is the Tasaday Hoax?
A hoax that humans lived on Tasaday Island; publicity stunt
What is the role of the researchers?
Requires that one is objective and value-free in approaching and reporting on the subject matter
What kinds of targets does criminal justice research focus on?
criminal, victim, the criminal justice system, and practitioners, as well as the general public
What are institutional review boards?
research screening committees in colleges and universities to oversee the ethical propriety of research
who may regulate professional ethics?
codes of ethics, institutional review boards, the courts, professions, and the government
what are the elements of obtaining informed consent?
- explain procedures to be followed
- explain risks that can happen
- explain benefits that can happen
- explain appropriate alternative procedures
- offer to answer questions
- explain that person is free to withdraw consent
As mentioned in lecture, what are special populations and what were the examples given in class?
populations that need to be treated different when conducting studies; juveniles, prisoners
What is the Belmont Report and what are the basic ethical principles?
recommended looser standards for informed consent in field research;
1. principle of respect for persons
2. principle of beneficence (no harm)
3. principle of justice (burdens and benefits should be distributed equitably)
What does the NIJ’s Regulations on Confidentiality do?
protects individuals by forbidding the use of any research to identify them
What are shield laws?
Laws that protect researchers from being forced to reveal sources in a court of law
what is a risk-benefit ratio?
the protection of human subject guidelines uses the risk-benefit ratio wherein the potential benefits must outweigh the possible hazards to respondents
What is reciprocity?
A system of mutual obligation between subjects and researchers; because the subject’s cooperation assisted the researcher, the researcher owes the subject professional regard
What is the Brajuha Case?
It involved the American Sociological Association code of ethics, and the confidentiality of field notes upheld in court
What is the Ofshe Case?
Synanon (drug rehab program) sued Dr. Richard Ofshe for slander
What is the Hutchinson Case?
Attacks on social science research and the Golden Fleece Award; determined that scientists could sue for defamation of character even if they were receiving federal funds
What is the Scarce Case?
Graduate student jailed for 157 days for refusing to violate ASA code of ethics while studying eco-warriors
What is the Belfast Project?
Former members of the Irish Republican Army and Ulster Constabulary Force were interviewed and guaranteed confidentiality by researchers until they died. Authorities tried to subpoena the recordings.
As mentioned in lecture, how do you avoid ethical problems?
Be careful in research design, consider alternative methodologies that present less risk of ethical problems
