Ethics and Ethics Case Studies Flashcards
Define Human Research
‘Human Research is conducted with or about people, or their data or tissue.
(Human participants in research is therefore to be understood broadly, to include the involvement of human beings through:
* taking part in surveys, interviews or focus groups
* undergoing psychological, physiological or medical testing or treatment
* being observed by researchers
* researchers having access to their personal documents or other materials
o the collection and use of their body organs, tissues or fluids (e.g. skin, blood, urine, saliva, hair, bones, tumour and other biopsy specimens) or their exhaled breath
o access to their information (in individually identifiable, re-identifiable or non- identifiable form) as part of an existing published or unpublished source or database.’)
What is considered low risk research?
- Low risk studies involve activities where participants are unlikely to suffer burden or harm.
o These studies must not present any more than what could be considered a minimal risk and/or burden to participants. Risks to participants include not only physical risks, but also psychological, spiritual, and social harm or distress. Burdens may include research that is intrusive, causes discomfort, inconvenience or embarrassment for the participants.
What is quality assurance (QA)?
“Quality assurance is an organised process that evaluates, assesses and seeks to improve … service delivery [as well as] outcomes” (NHMRC, 2013).
- Data collection conducted for the purposes of the partner organisation only; the student may not publish the results at any stage. QA-based activities do not require formal Human Research Ethics Committee (HREC) approval; however, they are nonetheless to be carried out in an ethical manner.
- Students who have assisted the partner in conducting quality assurance must be acknowledged in the release of results.
Ethics and Research as part of a PACE activity
Define 3 types
- If the research is undertaken at Macquarie University, or if the data are collected by an external organisation in partnership with Macquarie University (that is Macquarie University owns or co-owns the data and a Macquarie staff member or student may publish the data), then approval from a Macquarie University Ethics Committee will be needed
- If the data are being collected by an external organisation but Macquarie university staff or students could potentially publish the data later, then it is important to ensure that participants provide written informed consent so that Ethics approval can be sought at a later date to use this data;
- If an external organisation has primary responsibility for a research project (that is, they own the data and may publish the data), then that organisation will manage the ethical considerations for that project - Any research with Indigenous, vulnerable or young participants and/or communities is considered greater than low risk. Should a PACE activity involve this sort of research students should consult their tutor immediately for guidance.
What are the 4 ethical principles?
- Merit and Integrity (purpose of research, dissemination of results, trained researcher)
- Justice (fairness to participants in recruitment and effort requested)
- Beneficence (benefits will outweigh costs)
- Respect (voluntary nature, privacy, confidentiality)
Define the principle of merit and integrity
Research is justified by potential benefit; researchers have expertise; respect for participants is never compromised; appropriate methods employed; principles of ethical conduct are upheld
Define the principle of Justice (just research)
Fair selection of participants and reporting of results; no exploitation
Define the principles of Beneficence and Respect
Benefits outweigh burden; risk is minimised;
- Respect: intrinsic value of humans; due regard for the welfare, beliefs, perceptions, customs and cultural heritage of individuals and communities; respect privacy, confidentiality and cultural sensitivities;
- Risks: ascertain; undergraduate research should only constitute low or negligible risk;
- Consent: voluntary; adequate understanding of purpose, methods, demands, risks and potential benefits; written or verbal; mutual understanding and respect; ongoing negotiation.
What type of research through PACE students undertake?
It is preferred that PACE students use basic research techniques that do not require high levels of expertise to administer.
- Interviews
- Focus groups
- Face-to-face and online questionnaires
- Participant observation
Where appropriate and with consent:
* Notes
* Photographs (only if participants sign a media release form)
* Video and audio recordings (where, necessary, media release forms should be utilised
Describe how participation in external research through PACE is managed?
- Students complete ethics module
- Procedure for students to report any concerns
Students should not recruit but if they need to what needs to be in place?
_ All recruitment must be done in public places, never in private homes
- Students must be clearly identifiable and must identify themselves immediately when approaching potential participants;
- To the degree possible students should work in pairs;
- Students must not target vulnerable groups (e.g. minors);
- Students must be extremely careful that no coercion is involved
- Students must have measures in place with their Unit Convenor (e.g. emergency contact) should any incidents arise;
- If students have conducted direct recruitment it is possible to collect the data, de- identify it and hand to partner
What is the Trolley Tram Problem?
A scenario where you are the driver of a train and it explore how human lives can be valued comparatively
What is the Milgram Experiment?
- Shock administered to a confederate
- No consent
- Made to feel as though they could not stop or leave
What is the Standford Prison Study?
Simulated prisoners and guards at Standford University.
Got very out of hand, including
- lack of fully informed consent by participants as Zimbardo himself did not know what would happen in the experiment (it was unpredictable).
- the prisoners did not consent to being ‘arrested’ at home
What is the social experiment of ‘Shopping While Black’?
What would you do experiment. Using 3 actors (A black shopper, sales assistant and guard).
Racist comments and rude service and harrassment.
To see how people react - most people do not help/ignore the situation
What are the three core theories of Normative Ethics
- Consequentialism
- Deontological Ethics
- Virtue Ethics
What are sustainable development goals?
What type of questions could you ask to guide a difficult decision?
