Code Standards 7 and 8 Flashcards
Question ID #12687: Dr. Betty Black’s ad for her seminar on relaxation techniques invites the public to “come and hear an in-depth lecture on techniques to help reduce the stress of daily living.” The advertised cost for her two-hour seminar is $35.00. While preparing her lecture the night before the presentation, Dr. Black decides it would be valuable to demonstrate her techniques with the group. She decides that, instead of lecturing for the full two hours, she will have attendees divide into groups for the second hour to experiment with the techniques. With regard to the requirements of the APA’s Ethics Code, this is:
Select one:
A.
ethical if she allows participants to leave after the lecture portion of the seminar.
B.
ethical if the demonstration is well executed and educational.
C.
unethical since she advertised the seminar as a “lecture.”
D.
unethical because she plans to spend one hour lecturing when the most beneficial part will probably be the experiential portion.
The correct answer is C.
This issue is addressed in Standard 7.02 of the Ethics Code. Standard 7.02 requires psychologists to “take reasonable steps to ensure that there is a current and accurate description of the program content.” Altering the program content on the night before its presentation would violate this requirement.
Answer A: This would not make her action any more ethical.
Answer B: In this scenario, Dr. Black would still be in violation of Standard 7.02.
Answer D: This is not true. Her action would not be unethical because it violates Standard 7.02.
Question ID #12693: A graduate student designed and conducted a research project for her dissertation and subsequently wrote a journal article describing the study and its results. The original idea for the study was derived from the work of the student’s faculty advisor who also provided the facilities for the student’s research and provided the student with some guidance while she conducted her study. The faculty advisor wants to be listed as first author on the article. In this situation:
Select one:
A.
the student should be listed as the sole author.
B.
the student should be listed as the first author and the advisor as the second author.
C.
it is up to the advisor to determine authorship credit.
D.
it is up to the journal to determine authorship credit.
The correct answer is B.
Publication credit is addressed in Standard 8.12 of the Ethics Code. Standard 8.12 states that publication credits “accurately reflect the relative scientific or professional contributions of the individuals involved, regardless of their relative status…. Except under exceptional circumstances, a student is listed as principal author on any multiple-authored article that is substantially based on the student’s doctoral dissertation.” While the student should be listed as first author, the advisor’s contribution appears to warrant being listed as the second author.
Answer A: The student should be first author.
Answer C: This is not true.
Answer D: Publication credits should accurately reflect each individual’s contributions.
Question ID #12694: You have been hired as a research assistant for a study investigating the effectiveness of various forms of therapy for Social Anxiety Disorder. The procedures and methods used in the study are ethically sound; however, your supervisor is not informing participants that they can withdraw from the study at any time if they desire to do so. Your best course of action would be to:
Select one:
A.
quit your job.
B.
inform the participants yourself of their right to withdraw.
C.
discuss the possible ethical violation with the supervisor.
D.
do nothing since this is an acceptable practice.
The correct answer is C.
Guidelines for conducting research are provided in Standard 8 of the APA’s Ethics Code. In most circumstances, it is necessary to obtain informed consent from research participants and one requirement for informed consent is letting potential participants know that they can withdraw from the study at any time. Discussing this issue with the supervisor is consistent with Standard 1.04 (Informal Resolution of Ethical Violations) and would be the best initial course of action.
Answer A: This is not the best answer as there are many less extreme options.
Answer B: This answer choice does not address the legal or ethical concern in question here which is resolving informal ethical violations.
Answer D: Given the possible ethical violation, action is necessary.
Question ID #12696: Which of the following best describes the requirements of the APA’s Ethics Code with regard to the use of animals in research?
Select one:
A.
Animals should never be used as research subjects.
B.
Animals may be used as research subjects only when an alternative procedure is unavailable and the goal of the study is justified by its prospective value.
C.
Animals may be used as research subjects only when the procedures used will not cause them pain or stress.
D.
Animals may be used as research subjects when they will be subjected to pain or stress but only when an alternative procedure is not available and the goal of the study is justified by its prospective value.
The correct answer is D.
The use of animals in research is addressed in Standard 8.09 of the Ethics Code. The Ethics Code permits the use of animals in research under certain conditions, and this answer best describes those conditions.
Answer A: The ethics code permits the use of animals in research.
Answer B: This stipulation is not accurate.
Answer C: Pain and stress are permissible under certain conditions.
Question ID #12697: Which of the following best describes the provisions of the Ethics Code with regard to sexual relationships with students?
Select one:
A.
The Code prohibits relationships with current or former students under any circumstances.
B.
The Code prohibits relationships with current students but permits relationships with past students.
C.
The Code prohibits relationships with students over whom a psychologist has or is likely to have evaluative authority.
D.
The Code prohibits relationships with current or past students who are vulnerable to undue influence.
The correct answer is C.
Sexual relationships with students and supervisees are addressed in Standard 7.07 of the APA’s Ethics Code. This answer is most consistent with the actual language of Standard 7.07, which states: “Psychologists do not engage in sexual relationships with students or supervisees who are in their department, agency, or training center or over whom psychologists have or are likely to have evaluative authority.”
Answer A: The code does not prohibit this.
Answer B: This is not accurate.
Answer D: This does not accurately describe Standard 7.07.
Question ID #12719: Dr. Billie Bloom requires students in his introductory psychology class to participate in a university-sponsored research project as a requirement for the course. This is:
Select one:
A.
unethical under any circumstances.
B.
ethical as long as the research exposes students to “minimum risk.”
C.
ethical as long as students are given a choice of completing an equitable alternative assignment.
D.
ethical as long as students are made aware of this requirement before they enroll in his class.
The correct answer is C.
This issue is addressed in Standard 8.04(b) of the APA’s Ethics Code. Standard 8.04(b) states that “when research participation is a course requirement or an opportunity for extra credit, the prospective participant is given the choice of equitable alternative activities.”
Answer A: According to the APA Code of Ethics, this is an untrue statement.
Answer B: Research should expose students to as minimal risk as possible, but this stipulation alone does not make the choice ethical.
Answer D: Again, this stipulation alone does not make the choice ethical and therefore this response is incorrect.
Question ID #12720: You have just completed a research study but have not yet published its results. A colleague of yours who is familiar with your study requests the data you have collected. Which of the following best describes the requirements of the APA’s Ethics Code with regard to this situation?
Select one:
A.
You are required to comply with the colleague’s request only if her purpose in requesting the data is to re-analyze it.
B.
You are required to comply with the colleague’s request only if she agrees to protect the confidentiality of the study’s participants.
C.
You are not required to comply with the colleague’s request since the results of the study have not yet been published.
D.
You are not required to comply with the colleague’s request unless she has a “legitimate concern” about the accuracy the data.
The correct answer is C.
This issue is addressed in Standard 8.14 of the APA’s Ethics Code. Standard 8.14 states the following: “After research results are published, psychologists do not withhold the data on which their conclusions are based from other competent professionals who seek to verify the substantive claims through reanalysis and who intend to use such data only for that purpose, provided that the confidentiality of the participants can be protected and unless legal rights concerning proprietary data preclude their release.” Since you have not yet published your study, you are not obligated to comply with the colleague’s request.
Answers A and B: You are not required to comply.
Answer D: This concern would not require you to comply.
Question ID #12438: The information given to research participants by the researcher following data collection which details any deception is referred to as:
Select one:
A.
debriefing
B.
inducement
C.
informed consent
D.
best practice
The correct answer is A.
The term for detailing the purpose of the study, including elements of deception, to research participants following data collection, is known as debriefing.
Answer B: An inducement is some form of compensation for participation in research. Ethics code 8.06 makes it clear that inducements are not to be excessive or inappropriate to avoid coercing participation.
Answer C: Informed consent is given at the start of research and includes risks and benefits of participation. In studies where deception is involved, the researcher can keep the participants in the dark about the deception aspect but must explain it to them after data collection is over - this is known as debriefing.
Answer D: This is a decoy answer. It is in fact, best practice to provide debriefing for participants involved in deception research. But the direct answer to the question posed is debriefing.
