Ethical implications of SSR ID

Question 1

ethical implications

Answer 1

the consequences of any research in terms of the effects on individual participants or on the way in which certain groups of people are subsequently regarded

Question 2

social sensiivity

Answer 2

Sieber and Stanley define this as ‘studies in which there are potential consequences or implications, either directly for the participants in the research or for the class of individuals represented by the research’

Question 3

Ethical implications and social sensitivity

Answer 3

For example, a study on the long term memory of students may not have consequences to the individual or the social group but a study on depression might.

Question 4

research questions - thinking about social sensitivity

Answer 4

Sieber and Stanley say that the way the research question may be phrased and investigated can influence how the findings are interpreted. E.g. Kitzinger and Coyle note how research into relationships has been guilty of a ‘heterosexual bias’.

Question 5

dealing with participants - thinking about SS

Answer 5

The issues of informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm may be especially important for socially sensitive research. For example, in domestic abuse studies the participant may be worried that the ex-partner will find out as well as the stress of talking about it. Some participants may give informed consent at the start of the study but may not fully understand the effect of the research.

Question 6

the way findings are used - dealing with ss

Answer 6

How the findings may be used should be considered in advance as it could impact on what data they collect. Findings from research can give scientific credibility to existing prejudices, such as studies testing the ethnic basis of intelligence.

Question 7

media

Answer 7

more likely to publish socially sensitive research. Owens’ research on people in a minimally conscious state got a lot of media attention as it seemed like he made contact with people he thought to be ‘unreachable’.

Question 8

benefits for groups

strength

Answer 8

• Homosexuality is now seen as a normal and accepted part of life
• Kinsey’s study on this used anonymous interviews with over 5000 men and found that homosexuality is a typical expression of human sexual behaviour

Question 9

counterpoint to benefits for groups

limitation

Answer 9

• Could be negative consequences for groups being studies
• Research on the genetic basis of criminality found that there is a ‘criminal gene’
  Suggests that socially sensitive topics need very careful consideration of the possible outcomes and their consequences.

Question 10

RWA
Policy makers rely on it

strength

Answer 10

• Government looks at research when developing important social policies
• Better that the policies are based off of research and not politically-motivated views
• ONS collect, analyse data about UK
  Psychologists have an important role in providing high quality research on socially sensitive topics.

Question 11

poor research design
may lead to erroneous findings

limitation

Answer 11

• Burt’s research on the 11+ exam, after it was exposed for fraud, the 11+ exam is still used
• Genetic potential has revealed itself at this age
  Any research on socially sensitive topics needs to be planned with care to ensure the findings are valid.