Deck 3: Ethics in Social Research

Question 1

What is informed consent? Why was it developed? How does it protect research subjects?

Answer 1

Informed consent is a process in which a person is given all the necessary information about a medical procedure, clinical trial, or research study before deciding whether or not to participate. This includes details about the purpose of the study, potential risks and benefits, and the right to withdraw from the study at any time.

Informed consent was developed to ensure that individuals are fully aware of what they are agreeing to when participating in research or medical procedures. It is based on the ethical principle of respect for persons, which emphasizes the importance of allowing individuals to make autonomous decisions about their own health and well-being.

Informed consent protects research subjects by ensuring that they have all the information they need to make an informed decision about participating in a study. This helps to prevent coercion or manipulation and allows individuals to weigh the potential risks and benefits before agreeing to participate. It also helps to protect their rights and welfare throughout the duration of the study, as they have the right to withdraw at any time if they feel uncomfortable or if new information arises that may affect their decision. Overall, informed consent is a crucial component of ethical research and medical practice, as it prioritizes the well-being and autonomy of the individual.

Question 2

Identify three major cases in the history of research ethics and describe the basic principle of ethical research they illustrate.

Answer 2

1. The Tuskegee Syphilis Study: This infamous study, conducted by the U.S. Public Health Service from 1932 to 1972, involved withholding treatment from African American men with syphilis in order to study the natural progression of the disease. This study violated the basic principle of informed consent, as the participants were not informed of the true nature of the study or given the opportunity to consent to or refuse treatment.

2. The Stanford Prison Experiment: Conducted in 1971 by psychologist Philip Zimbardo, this study involved simulating a prison environment and assigning participants to the roles of guards and prisoners. The study was meant to examine the psychological effects of perceived power and authority. However, it quickly spiraled out of control, with guards exhibiting abusive behavior and prisoners experiencing psychological harm. This study violated the basic principle of beneficence, as the participants were subjected to harm without adequate protection.

3. The Milgram Obedience Study: Conducted in 1961 by psychologist Stanley Milgram, this study involved participants administering what they believed to be increasingly painful electric shocks to another person as part of a learning experiment. The study was meant to examine obedience to authority figures. This study violated the basic principle of nonmaleficence, as the participants were subjected to psychological distress and potential harm without their full understanding or consent.

These cases illustrate the basic principles of ethical research, including informed consent, beneficence (doing good and minimizing harm), and nonmaleficence (avoiding harm). They serve as important reminders of the need for ethical guidelines and oversight in research to protect the rights and well-being of participants.

Question 3

What is "public sociology"
and how does it relate to the three approaches to social science discussed in Chapter 2?

Answer 3

Public sociology is a branch of sociology that focuses on engaging with the general public and addressing social issues in a way that is accessible and relevant to a wider audience. It seeks to bridge the gap between academic research and public understanding, and to use sociological insights to inform public policy and social change.

In relation to the three approaches to social science discussed in Chapter 2, public sociology can be seen as incorporating elements of all three. The positivist approach, which emphasizes empirical observation and measurement, is reflected in public sociology's use of data and evidence to support its arguments and recommendations. The interpretive approach, which focuses on understanding the subjective meanings and interpretations of individuals, is reflected in public sociology's emphasis on engaging with diverse perspectives and experiences in order to address social issues. And the critical approach, which seeks to uncover and challenge power dynamics and social inequalities, is reflected in public sociology's focus on addressing systemic issues and advocating for social justice.

Overall, public sociology can be seen as a practical application of the principles and methods of social science, with a specific focus on engaging with the public and addressing social issues in a way that is accessible and impactful.

Question 4

Why is "value-free"
research not always advocated by social researchers?

Question 5

What ethical concern is the crossover design supposed to help a researcher resolve?

A) do not create new inequalities
B) protect confidentiality
C) ensure voluntary participation
D) do not cause legal harm
E) do not suppress research findings

Question 6

The primary thing that keeps most social scientific research within ethical-moral boundaries is

A) the Codes of Ethics published by professional associations.
B) the government's laws and regulations.
C) fear of law suits against researchers by subjects.
D) the professional training or socialization and peer pressure that individual researchers experience.
E) the Research Police who have an office on every college campus.

Question 7

It is NOT ethical for a sponsor to do which of the following?

A) A school district wants a study of students, but demands that a researcher reach findings showing an improvement in student scores during the past five years.
B) A supervisor requires prior review of questionnaire items to make some of them "leading" to make certain that the company looks good.
C) A government agency that paid for a study suppresses findings that indicate that it has not enforced a law it is supposed to and has been an overall failure.
D) A political party calls people for telephone interviews on opinions, but is really identifying potential financial contributors. It hides the true sponsor of a study by using a made up the name of a research company.
E) all of the above.

Question 8

Find the FALSE statement about ethics in social research:

A) The individual researcher is ultimately responsible for acting in an ethical manner and protecting research subjects.
B) A researcher who lacks strong professional socialization, who is isolated from other researchers, and who is under great pressure to cut corners to produce research findings is in greater danger of doing something unethical.
C) Unethical researchers, if caught, have disgraced themselves before their peers. They may lose their job and never get another professional job. All their past research may be suspect.
D) It is usually more costly and time consuming to behave ethically, but there is no praise for ethical research.
It is simply expected.
E) All unethical behavior is also illegal because codes of ethics have the force of law.

Question 9

What is ethical behavior regarding the use of deception in social research?

A) Deception is always forbidden; it should never be used under any conditions whatsoever.
B) Deception can be used anytime a researcher feels he or she can learn more by using it, so long as the subjects have given their "informed consent."
C) Deception can be used anytime a researcher feels he or she would learn more by using it, but only if the researcher afterwards "debriefs" the subjects, telling them the about deception.
D) Deception can only be used if it is necessary for a specific research purpose, only to the minimal degree required for that purpose, and subjects should give informed consent before participating and be debriefed immediately afterwards.
E) Deception can only be used when one is working with "special populations," during which time debriefing is optional.

Question 10

Dr. Smellysock said, "Before I go any further, I have to run this research design past the IRB." What does this mean?

A) Dr. Smellysock needs to get money to conduct the research project and must go to the Internal Revenue Board to get it.
B) Dr. Smellysock needs to get an ok by a local committee who checks for ethical concerns in research dealing with people.
C) Dr. Smellysock does not have academic freedom and must get permission to do anything.
D) Dr. Smellysock has to go to Washington, D.C. to talk with the national lobbying organization for the social science researchers.
E) Dr. Smellysock is conducting a research project like the "Bad Blood" study so he must let health officials know he won't contaminate anyone.

Question 11

Talk about:
-anonymity

Question 12

Talk about:
-confidentiality

Question 13

Talk about:
-crossover design

Question 14

Talk about:
-informed consent

Question 15

Talk about:
-institutional review board (IRB)

Question 16

Talk about:
-plagiarism

Question 17

Talk about:
-public sociology

Question 18

Talk about:
-research fraud

Question 19

Talk about:
-scientific misconduct

Question 20

Talk about:
-special population

Question 21

Talk about:
-whistle-blower