Ethics

Question 1

What is ethics?

Answer 1

study of general nature of morals and moral choices

morals: conforming to established ideas of right and wrong

unwritten guidelines

Question 2

ethics vs laws

laws are….

Answer 2

formal, written standards
- designed to apply to everyone
- enforced by gov agencies
- interpreted by courts

impossible to pass laws to cover every possibility

Question 3

unethical behaviour

Answer 3

• isn’t necessarily illegal
• not all illegal behaviour is unethical
• not conforming to approved standards

Question 4

amoral behaviour

Answer 4

• no sense of right or wrong
• no interest in moral consequences

Question 5

which system of ethics works best?

Answer 5

• no universal agreement
• ethical decisions are greatly influenced by personal ethics

Question 6

McGill & Unethical research

Project MK Ultra

Answer 6

• CIA mind control experiment
• unconsenting patients
• sensory deprivation, LSD, electroshock therapy, and other mind control methods

devastating effects on patients invoved

Question 7

Research ethics board at McGill

Answer 7

proper certification required before research if working with
- human participants, animals, radioactive or biohazardous materials

Question 8

Enforcing ethics

Answer 8

• no data can be collected without or prior to an approval
• funding withheld until approval

Question 9

General rule of ethics requirements

Answer 9

always required with children
assume any human subjects

EXCEPTION–> designated representatives of organizations

Question 10

Research ethics board-1 (REB-1)

Answer 10

law, arts (except: social work, information studies), engineering, management, continuing studies, religious studies, science (except : psych)

Question 11

REB-2

Answer 11

linguistics, psych, music, social work, information studies, education + research involving competent adults

Question 12

REB -3

Answer 12

all faculties (except med and dentistry) involving minor or uncompetent adults (unable to consent)

Question 13

REB-4

Answer 13

agricultural and environmental sciences involving competent adults

Question 14

application process

Required human research ethics training

Answer 14

tri-council policy statement 2

all students, faculty, staff, investigators

Question 15

application process ii

who can apply as a prinicpal investigator?

Answer 15

NO undergrad, profs can apply for students (if human participants is needed)

Question 16

submission deadlines

minimal risk

Answer 16

• submitted at any time
• review ~4-6 weeks

Question 17

submission deadlines

projects with greater risk +involve minors

Answer 17

• 1st friday of every month
• REB meets 4 weeks after that
• no board meetings in july /aug

Question 18

informed consent

Answer 18

• explicitly obtained (written or verbal)
• voluntarily given
• can off compensation BUT must be mentioned +approved by REB

Question 19

confidentiality

Answer 19

• identities or sensitive info can not be revealed in publication
• all data must be securely stored (paper+ ecopy)
• kept for 7 years
• specific ways of getting rid of data

Question 20

confidentiality example

Poaching traps in Kibale National Park

Answer 20

• serious repercussions for locals who hunt for subsisdy or artisanal trade

minimize legal repercussions