W10: Research Ethics and Bias

Question 1

What is research bias?

Answer 1

systematic (inadvertent /intentional) distortion of research conclusions

Question 2

What are sources of bias in the research process?

Answer 2

• selection of problem
  -use of findings
• reporting of findings
• data analysis
• data collection
• funding
• sampling design

Question 3

What is researcher affect?

Answer 3

refers to bias that results from researcher having falling in love with some pet theory/explanation
- unintentional use of procedures that lead to conclusions supporting preferred explanation

Question 4

How can bias be present during selection of problem?

Answer 4

-some things judged more important by funding agencies, peers, etc.
- bias towards conventional, standard, quantitative projects
- selection of conventionally viewed as important

Question 5

What is selection bias?

Answer 5

error due to systematic differences in characteristics between those who were selected and those who were not
- method used to select participants
-factors influence person’s decision to participate
- losses to follow up cohort study

Question 6

where can bias occur in sampling design? Give an example

Answer 6

results may be distorted by choosing to study sub-populations with known slants
eg. poverty, reduced nutritional status, disability, etc.

Question 7

What are the 4 types of sexism during the design stage?

Answer 7

1. Androcentricity
2. Overgeneralization
3. Gender insensitivity
4. Double standards

Question 8

Define androcentricity

Answer 8

presenting world exclusively from males pov

Question 9

Define overgeneralization

Answer 9

claiming to refer to all people when only one gender was included in the study

Question 10

define gender insensitivity

Answer 10

disregard of differential impacts of research conclusions or of social policy

Question 11

define double standards

Answer 11

using different means of measuring identical behaviors

Question 12

where can bias occur in funding decisions?

Answer 12

• better funding in traditional areas
• special funding in “hot” areas
  -CFDR priority funding areas

Question 13

What is the experimenter effect?

Answer 13

tendency to produce findings that are consistent with the experimenter’s expectations

Question 14

What is information bias?

Answer 14

flaw in measuring exposure or outcome data that results in different accuracy between groups
(ie. recall bias, observer bias)

Question 15

what is expectancy (in context of data collection)?

Answer 15

anticipation of particular research results, possibly leading to distortion of results in direction of expectations

Question 16

What is demand characteristics (in context of data collection)?

Answer 16

distortion introduced during data collection when respondents give answers they believe the researcher is expecting

Question 17

What are the different types of biases in data analysis?

Answer 17

• random error
  -systematic error
  -data messaging

Question 18

What is random error?

Answer 18

inconsistencies that enter into coding process but have no pattern
“noise”

Question 19

What is systematic error?

Answer 19

errors that distort the data in one particular direction
- potential source of bias

Question 20

What is data massaging?

Answer 20

playing with data until analysis producing strongest association is identified, lowkey fraud

Question 21

What does “noise” refer to in data analysis?

Answer 21

• random errors (data entry/coding)
  -human errors (accidental errors)
  does not threaten study conclusions way that systematic errors do

Question 22

how can bias occur in reporting of findings?

Answer 22

• reporting findings not consistent with study design and question
• report only stat. sig. results
• over emphasis on certain findings (quant.>qual)
• reporting what is “hot” and “news-worthy”

Question 23

How does one minimize bias in research?

Answer 23

-avoid sexism
-read literature cautiously
-be skeptical of research findings
- be accepting of all responses
-check for random and systematic errors
- distinguish advocacy from pure research
- educate society that most research supports some interest (group)
- invest effort into disconfirming
-specify data analysis procedures
- be sensitive to own outcome preferences
- do not disclose hypotheses to subjects/research assistants

Question 24

many ethical issues in research involve balance between two values, what are they?

Answer 24

• pursuit of scient. knowledge
• rights of those being studied

Question 25

Why should ethical reviews be done?

Answer 25

-social and professional responsibility
- research integrity

Question 26

Why do we have to do ethical reviews? (regulations)

Answer 26

• Nuremberg code of 1947
  -declaration of Helsinki in 1964
• tri-council policy statement
  -institutional policies on ethics

Question 27

What kind of research needs ethical review?

Answer 27

• living human subjects
  -human remains
  -secondary use of human data
  -naturalistic observation of human subjects
  -research with animals
• research with biohazardous materials

Question 28

When is an ethical review NOT necessary?

Answer 28

• research using publicly available information
• quality assurance studies (performance reviews)

Question 29

What are the pressures of the two conflicting pressures?

Answer 29

scientific knowledge-> stresses perfection of research design, important of research question/ precise measurement
rights of those being studied-> stresses rights of respondent, importance of not harming/stressing subject

Question 30

What are the overarching considerations for ethical research?

Answer 30

• participants must have dignity maintained
• how participants are treated, how they benefit (indirectly)

Question 31

What is the cost-benefit analysis?

Answer 31

if risks are greater than benefits, research should not be done
if benefits exceed risks, research can be defended on ethical grounds

Question 32

What are the three main principles

Answer 32

• respect human dignity
  -beneficence (welfare)
• justice and inclusiveness

Question 33

What are the rules for treatment of respondents

Answer 33

-protect confidentiality
- do not place pressure to participate
- make participation easy
- identify sponsors
- disclose basis by which participants were selected
-honor promises to provide respondents with research reports
-debrief subjects

Question 34

What does protection from harm entail?

Answer 34

-participants must be prevented from physical/psycho harm
-ethics approval process considers risks and benefits to participants

Question 35

What does maintenance of privacy entail?

Answer 35

no way anyone other than principal investigator can match results of experiment with participant associated with these results
- use of ID in all other data materials (no names)
- no invasion of participant private space to observe/collect data

Question 36

define coercion

Answer 36

unethical; force people into participation in a study
participation must be voluntary and withdrawal without consequence

Question 37

What is needed for informed consent?

Answer 37

readability
diminished capacity
written consent
not limited to initial discussion and signature
provide copy for records
free, informed, ongoing

Question 38

What does informed consent info sheet need?

Answer 38

intro, purpose of study, study design, who can participate, who in conducting research, what will you be asked to do, possible risks, possible benefits, compensation, confidentiality, summary, contact info

Question 39

What is equipoise?

Answer 39

balance of two experimental conditions
- unethical to randomize participants to 2 experimental conditions unless they are deemed to be equivalent (one is not known to be better than the other)

Question 40

what are areas of ethical conflict “sponsor interference”?

Answer 40

• sponsor may try to interfere with research
• sponsor could try to suppress findings, may be hidden

Question 41

What institutions are required to have a research ethics board (REB)?

Answer 41

all universities and hospitals