ethical implications of research studies

Question 1

what’re 2 examples of research with potentially bad consequences

Answer 1

• Caughy found that middle class children put in daycare at an early age generally score less on cognitive tests than children from similar families reared in the home
• IQ tests administered to black americans show that they typically score 15 points below the average white score

Question 2

what’re points on socially sensitive research

Answer 2

• some areas of research are more likely to be seen as controversial/socially sensitive than others
• research into the link between race and IQ to criminality and other subjects such as sexuality often attracts a lot of media attention
• this type of research must be conducted carefully to protect against negative consequences for certain social groups

Question 3

what’re points on ethical implications

Answer 3

• most researchers have very little say in how/where their findings are presented in the media
• they may also be unaware of how their work could be used in public policy or how it may influence perceptions of specific groups within society

Question 4

what’re 3 aspects in the scientific research process that raise ethical implications in socially sensitive research

Answer 4

• the research question
• dealing with participants
• the way the findings are used

Question 5

expand on ‘the research question’ as an aspect that can raise ethical implications on socially sensitive research

Answer 5

• a researcher may rephrase the question to avoid damaging a social group
• eg “are there racial differences in IQ?” = “do cultural backgrounds affect academic prowess/potential?”

Question 6

expand on ‘dealing with participants’ as an aspect that can raise ethical implications on socially sensitive research

Answer 6

• vital to consider issues such as informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm
• eg an abusive partner may be dangerous if a domestic abuse case exposed them, risking danger for the interviewee

Question 7

expand on ‘the way the findings are used’ as an aspect that can raise ethical implications in socially sensitive research

Answer 7

• it is crucial, eg research could be used by governments to excuse certain policies and prejudice, eg research into ethnicity and intelligence

Question 8

what’re 2 strengths of ethical implications

Answer 8

• can benefit people eg homosexuals
• necessary to carry out

Question 9

how is studying homosexuality a support for socially sensitive research

Answer 9

• can benefit people eg the change in discourse over homosexuality
• eg research in 1948 with >5000 men asking about their sexual behaviour led homosexuality to be removed as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’ from the DSM

Question 10

how is its necessity a support for socially sensitive research

Answer 10

• orgs such as the ‘Office for National Statistics’ collect data about the economy, society & population. this research is used in psychological research
• this is good because the Gov. can use the research to help implement policies such as those relating to child care and/or education, and mental health provisions etc

Question 11

what’re 2 limitations of socially sensitive research

Answer 11

• negative implications such as the genetic basis of criminality
• has a history of being used by governments to shape policies that may be based on invalid research

Question 12

how are negative implications such as research into the genetic basis of criminality a limitation of socially sensitive research

Answer 12

• could help identify a ‘criminal gene’ which poses problems for the legal system about responsibility for individuals’ criminal behaviour

Question 13

how has historical government use of invalid research to shape policies proven to be a limitation of socially sensitive research

Answer 13

socially sensitive research results can have massive implications on society, such as Burt’s belief in hereditary genetics that, even when proved incorrect, still has shaped the UK education system