W10: Research Ethics and Bias Flashcards
What is research bias?
systematic (inadvertent /intentional) distortion of research conclusions
What are sources of bias in the research process?
- selection of problem
-use of findings - reporting of findings
- data analysis
- data collection
- funding
- sampling design
What is researcher affect?
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
How can bias be present during selection of problem?
-some things judged more important by funding agencies, peers, etc.
- bias towards conventional, standard, quantitative projects
- selection of conventionally viewed as important
What is selection bias?
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
where can bias occur in sampling design? Give an example
results may be distorted by choosing to study sub-populations with known slants
eg. poverty, reduced nutritional status, disability, etc.
What are the 4 types of sexism during the design stage?
- Androcentricity
- Overgeneralization
- Gender insensitivity
- Double standards
Define androcentricity
presenting world exclusively from males pov
Define overgeneralization
claiming to refer to all people when only one gender was included in the study
define gender insensitivity
disregard of differential impacts of research conclusions or of social policy
define double standards
using different means of measuring identical behaviors
where can bias occur in funding decisions?
- better funding in traditional areas
- special funding in “hot” areas
-CFDR priority funding areas
What is the experimenter effect?
tendency to produce findings that are consistent with the experimenter’s expectations
What is information bias?
flaw in measuring exposure or outcome data that results in different accuracy between groups
(ie. recall bias, observer bias)
what is expectancy (in context of data collection)?
anticipation of particular research results, possibly leading to distortion of results in direction of expectations
What is demand characteristics (in context of data collection)?
distortion introduced during data collection when respondents give answers they believe the researcher is expecting
What are the different types of biases in data analysis?
- random error
-systematic error
-data messaging
What is random error?
inconsistencies that enter into coding process but have no pattern
“noise”
What is systematic error?
errors that distort the data in one particular direction
- potential source of bias
What is data massaging?
playing with data until analysis producing strongest association is identified, lowkey fraud
What does “noise” refer to in data analysis?
- random errors (data entry/coding)
-human errors (accidental errors)
does not threaten study conclusions way that systematic errors do
how can bias occur in reporting of findings?
- 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”
How does one minimize bias in research?
-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
many ethical issues in research involve balance between two values, what are they?
- pursuit of scient. knowledge
- rights of those being studied
Why should ethical reviews be done?
-social and professional responsibility
- research integrity
Why do we have to do ethical reviews? (regulations)
- Nuremberg code of 1947
-declaration of Helsinki in 1964 - tri-council policy statement
-institutional policies on ethics
What kind of research needs ethical review?
- living human subjects
-human remains
-secondary use of human data
-naturalistic observation of human subjects
-research with animals - research with biohazardous materials
When is an ethical review NOT necessary?
- research using publicly available information
- quality assurance studies (performance reviews)
What are the pressures of the two conflicting pressures?
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
What are the overarching considerations for ethical research?
- participants must have dignity maintained
- how participants are treated, how they benefit (indirectly)
What is the cost-benefit analysis?
if risks are greater than benefits, research should not be done
if benefits exceed risks, research can be defended on ethical grounds
What are the three main principles
- respect human dignity
-beneficence (welfare) - justice and inclusiveness
What are the rules for treatment of respondents
-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
What does protection from harm entail?
-participants must be prevented from physical/psycho harm
-ethics approval process considers risks and benefits to participants
What does maintenance of privacy entail?
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
define coercion
unethical; force people into participation in a study
participation must be voluntary and withdrawal without consequence
What is needed for informed consent?
readability
diminished capacity
written consent
not limited to initial discussion and signature
provide copy for records
free, informed, ongoing
What does informed consent info sheet need?
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
What is equipoise?
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)
what are areas of ethical conflict “sponsor interference”?
- sponsor may try to interfere with research
- sponsor could try to suppress findings, may be hidden
What institutions are required to have a research ethics board (REB)?
all universities and hospitals
