Chapter 3. Being an Ethical Researcher
Introduction
Ethics
In this activity, you will explore the ethical principles researchers follow and the dilemmas they face in conducting ethical research.
Something to Think About...
We often face ethical challenges in our lives. These can be minor dilemmas, such as whether or not to be honest with a friend about how he or she looks, or major problems, such as whether or not to admit you have cheated on a test. Deciding what to do in these situations can be challenging. Luckily, when it comes to research, we have a set of principles that can assist us in making ethical judgments.
Something to Think About...
Now that you have reviewed the important ethical principles and issues related to conducting ethical research in your textbook, can you evaluate research studies to determine whether or not they are violating ethics? Let’s step into the role of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at your school. We will be able to decide if the following 4 studies are violating ethical principles—and in what ways.
IRB Proposal 1
“The proposed research is interested in how listening to heavy metal music influences one’s level of aggression toward others. Adult volunteers from the community will be randomly assigned to 2 groups. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be told that the study requires them to listen to music for 30 minutes and then provide feedback on the music. Half of the participants will listen to heavy metal music for 30 minutes, and the other half will listen to classical music. Afterward, all of the participants will be placed in a hot room (90 degrees) for 2 hours, where they will be instructed to wait for the researcher to join them. During that time the researchers will measure their aggressive acts toward others, which will be observed and recorded via a two-way mirror. The researchers will compare the number of aggressive acts for the participants in the 2 groups. Since deception will be used to obscure the true intent of the study, participants will be debriefed as to the true purpose of the study at the end.”
Instructions
Based on this research summary, identify the potential ethical issues with the design.
Identifying the Review Level
“The proposed research is interested in how listening to heavy metal music influences one’s level of aggression toward others. Adult volunteers from the community will be randomly assigned to 2 groups. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be told that the study requires them to listen to music for 30 minutes and then provide feedback on the music. Half of the participants will listen to heavy metal music for 30 minutes, and the other half will listen to classical music. Afterward, all of the participants will be placed in a hot room (90 degrees) for 2 hours, where they will be instructed to wait for the researcher to join them. During that time the researchers will measure their aggressive acts toward others, which will be observed and recorded via a two-way mirror. The researchers will compare the number of aggressive acts for the participants in the 2 groups. Since deception will be used to obscure the true intent of the study, participants will be debriefed as to the true purpose of the study at the end.”
Question 3.1
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“The proposed research is interested in how listening to heavy metal music influences one’s level of aggression toward others. Adult volunteers from the community will be randomly assigned to 2 groups. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be told that the study requires them to listen to music for 30 minutes and then provide feedback on the music. Half of the participants will listen to heavy metal music for 30 minutes, and the other half will listen to classical music. Afterward, all of the participants will be placed in a hot room (90 degrees) for 2 hours, where they will be instructed to wait for the researcher to join them. During that time the researchers will measure their aggressive acts toward others, which will be observed and recorded via a two-way mirror. The researchers will compare the number of aggressive acts for the participants in the 2 groups. Since deception will be used to obscure the true intent of the study, participants will be debriefed as to the true purpose of the study at the end.”
Question 3.2
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“The proposed research is interested in how listening to heavy metal music influences one’s level of aggression toward others. Adult volunteers from the community will be randomly assigned to 2 groups. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be told that the study requires them to listen to music for 30 minutes and then provide feedback on the music. Half of the participants will listen to heavy metal music for 30 minutes, and the other half will listen to classical music. Afterward, all of the participants will be placed in a hot room (90 degrees) for 2 hours, where they will be instructed to wait for the researcher to join them. During that time the researchers will measure their aggressive acts toward others, which will be observed and recorded via a two-way mirror. The researchers will compare the number of aggressive acts for the participants in the 2 groups. Since deception will be used to obscure the true intent of the study, participants will be debriefed as to the true purpose of the study at the end.”
Question 3.3
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“This researcher, a psychology instructor, is interested in studying the relationship between grades in a course and perceptions of the professor’s quality of instruction. College students in 3 of the researcher’s ‘Introduction to Psychology’ course sections will be asked to participate in the study. Students will be given extra credit toward their final grade for their participation in the study. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be given a survey asking them to report their current grade in the course and to rate the professor on a scale of 1 (‘poor quality of instruction’) to 5 (‘great quality of instruction’). All surveys will be coded so as to conceal the identity of the students and their specific responses.”
Instructions
Based on this research summary, identify the potential ethical issues with the design.
Identifying the Review Level
“This researcher, a psychology instructor, is interested in studying the relationship between grades in a course and perceptions of the professor’s quality of instruction. College students in 3 of the researcher’s ‘Introduction to Psychology’ course sections will be asked to participate in the study. Students will be given extra credit toward their final grade for their participation in the study. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be given a survey asking them to report their current grade in the course and to rate the professor on a scale of 1 (‘poor quality of instruction’) to 5 (‘great quality of instruction’). All surveys will be coded so as to conceal the identity of the students and their specific responses.”
Question 3.4
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Identifying Ethical Principles
“This researcher, a psychology instructor, is interested in studying the relationship between grades in a course and perceptions of the professor’s quality of instruction. College students in 3 of the researcher’s ‘Introduction to Psychology’ course sections will be asked to participate in the study. Students will be given extra credit toward their final grade for their participation in the study. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be given a survey asking them to report their current grade in the course and to rate the professor on a scale of 1 (‘poor quality of instruction’) to 5 (‘great quality of instruction’). All surveys will be coded so as to conceal the identity of the students and their specific responses.”
Question 3.5
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“This researcher, a psychology instructor, is interested in studying the relationship between grades in a course and perceptions of the professor’s quality of instruction. College students in 3 of the researcher’s ‘Introduction to Psychology’ course sections will be asked to participate in the study. Students will be given extra credit toward their final grade for their participation in the study. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be given a survey asking them to report their current grade in the course and to rate the professor on a scale of 1 (‘poor quality of instruction’) to 5 (‘great quality of instruction’). All surveys will be coded so as to conceal the identity of the students and their specific responses.”
Question 3.6
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“This researcher, a psychology instructor, is interested in studying the relationship between grades in a course and perceptions of the professor’s quality of instruction. College students in 3 of the researcher’s ‘Introduction to Psychology’ course sections will be asked to participate in the study. Students will be given extra credit toward their final grade for their participation in the study. After informed consent is obtained, participants will be given a survey asking them to report their current grade in the course and to rate the professor on a scale of 1 (‘poor quality of instruction’) to 5 (‘great quality of instruction’). All surveys will be coded so as to conceal the identity of the students and their specific responses.”
Question 3.7
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“This research is proposing to study the effectiveness of a new math skills program on high school seniors’ anxiety toward math. We will sample from a local high school, where we will assign students aged 18 and older who have high GPAs (3.0–4.0) to the math skills program and those who have lower GPAs (0.0–3.0) to a study hall (control group). Student math anxiety will be measured using the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale: Brief Version (MARS, Suinn & Winston, 2003) at the beginning and end of the semester. We hope to see a decrease in anxiety as a result of the math skills program. Parental consent and student assent will be obtained before participation in the study, and no deception will be used.”
Instructions
Based on this research summary, identify the potential ethical issues with the design.
Identifying the Review Level
“This research is proposing to study the effectiveness of a new math skills program on high school seniors’ anxiety toward math. We will sample from a local high school, where we will assign students aged 18 and older who have high GPAs (3.0–4.0) to the math skills program and those who have lower GPAs (0.0–3.0) to a study hall (control group). Student math anxiety will be measured using the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale: Brief Version (MARS, Suinn & Winston, 2003) at the beginning and end of the semester. We hope to see a decrease in anxiety as a result of the math skills program. Parental consent and student assent will be obtained before participation in the study, and no deception will be used.”
Question 3.8
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“This research is proposing to study the effectiveness of a new math skills program on high school seniors’ anxiety toward math. We will sample from a local high school, where we will assign students aged 18 and older who have high GPAs (3.0–4.0) to the math skills program and those who have lower GPAs (0.0–3.0) to a study hall (control group). Student math anxiety will be measured using the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale: Brief Version (MARS, Suinn & Winston, 2003) at the beginning and end of the semester. We hope to see a decrease in anxiety as a result of the math skills program. Parental consent and student assent will be obtained before participation in the study, and no deception will be used.”
Question 3.9
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 Ethical Principles
“This research is proposing to study the effectiveness of a new math skills program on high school seniors’ anxiety toward math. We will sample from a local high school, where we will assign students aged 18 and older who have high GPAs (3.0–4.0) to the math skills program and those who have lower GPAs (0.0–3.0) to a study hall (control group). Student math anxiety will be measured using the Mathematics Anxiety Rating Scale: Brief Version (MARS, Suinn & Winston, 2003) at the beginning and end of the semester. We hope to see a decrease in anxiety as a result of the math skills program. Parental consent and student assent will be obtained before participation in the study, and no deception will be used.”
Question 3.10
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 Proposal 4
“The researchers will be collecting data from a local mall regarding shopping behaviors during the holidays. Participants will be approached randomly at the entrance of the mall and asked if they would be willing to participate in a brief survey about shopping. They will sign a brief informed consent form and provide their contact information, which will be placed into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the mall. Participants will be asked a series of questions about their shopping behaviors during the holidays, such as how much money they spend, which stores they visit, and whether they plan to spend more money than they did last year on gifts. The results will allow the researchers to summarize average consumer spending during the holidays. A copy of the participants’ contact information and answers will be given to the mall’s stores so they can plan targeted mail marketing campaigns for the upcoming holiday season.”
Instructions
Based on this research summary, identify the potential ethical issues with the design.
Identifying the Review Level
“The researchers will be collecting data from a local mall regarding shopping behaviors during the holidays. Participants will be approached randomly at the entrance of the mall and asked if they would be willing to participate in a brief survey about shopping. They will sign a brief informed consent form and provide their contact information, which will be placed into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the mall. Participants will be asked a series of questions about their shopping behaviors during the holidays, such as how much money they spend, which stores they visit, and whether they plan to spend more money than they did last year on gifts. The results will allow the researchers to summarize average consumer spending during the holidays. A copy of the participants’ contact information and answers will be given to the mall’s stores so they can plan targeted mail marketing campaigns for the upcoming holiday season.”
Question 3.11
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Identifying Ethical Principles
“The researchers will be collecting data from a local mall regarding shopping behaviors during the holidays. Participants will be approached randomly at the entrance of the mall and asked if they would be willing to participate in a brief survey about shopping. They will sign a brief informed consent form and provide their contact information, which will be placed into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the mall. Participants will be asked a series of questions about their shopping behaviors during the holidays, such as how much money they spend, which stores they visit, and whether they plan to spend more money than they did last year on gifts. The results will allow the researchers to summarize average consumer spending during the holidays. A copy of the participants’ contact information and answers will be given to the mall’s stores so they can plan targeted mail marketing campaigns for the upcoming holiday season.”
Question 3.12
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Identifying Ethical Principles
“The researchers will be collecting data from a local mall regarding shopping behaviors during the holidays. Participants will be approached randomly at the entrance of the mall and asked if they would be willing to participate in a brief survey about shopping. They will sign a brief informed consent form and provide their contact information, which will be placed into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the mall. Participants will be asked a series of questions about their shopping behaviors during the holidays, such as how much money they spend, which stores they visit, and whether they plan to spend more money than they did last year on gifts. The results will allow the researchers to summarize average consumer spending during the holidays. A copy of the participants’ contact information and answers will be given to the mall’s stores so they can plan targeted mail marketing campaigns for the upcoming holiday season.”
Question 3.13
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Identifying Ethical Principles
“The researchers will be collecting data from a local mall regarding shopping behaviors during the holidays. Participants will be approached randomly at the entrance of the mall and asked if they would be willing to participate in a brief survey about shopping. They will sign a brief informed consent form and provide their contact information, which will be placed into a drawing for a $100 gift certificate to the mall. Participants will be asked a series of questions about their shopping behaviors during the holidays, such as how much money they spend, which stores they visit, and whether they plan to spend more money than they did last year on gifts. The results will allow the researchers to summarize average consumer spending during the holidays. A copy of the participants’ contact information and answers will be given to the mall’s stores so they can plan targeted mail marketing campaigns for the upcoming holiday season.”
Question 3.14
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Ethical research is the cornerstone of being a good scientist. Whether you take a utilitarian or altruistic perspective to ethics, you should try to increase the benefits received from a study and decrease the costs. It is important to consider how we treat participants during a study, and it is just as important to treat them fairly before and after their participation to reduce psychological and physical harm.
Research should be fair, promote the welfare of others, and respect the autonomy of others. As you begin to conduct studies of your own, keep in mind that interesting and useful research should never come at the expense of its participants.
Congratulations! You have successfully completed this activity.
