Ethics in Experimental Research Showing concern for the welfare of human subjects

Ethical matrix for social science research Good endsBad ends Good meansEthical research Subjective ethic (backfires) Bad meansMachiavellian research Unethical research

Belmont report Autonomy: Free-choice, no pressure to participate, consideration of “ at risk ” groups or individuals persons with diminished autonomy Beneficence: “ do no harm, ” ensure the well-being of participants Justice: fair distribution of risks and benefits of research subject recruitment, selection subject compensation

How common is research misconduct? “ More than 1 percent of scientists report direct knowledge of an instance of misconduct. ” Elliot (2000). How prevalent is fraud? That ’ s a multi-million dollar question. Science, 290, pp Motivations include tenure and promotion pressure to “ publish or perish ” lucrative grants, patents fame, notoriety, prestige

No harm to the participants minimizing psychological risks Example: simulations that accentuate racist, sexist, or homophobic attitudes minimizing physical risks Example: behavioral psychologists ’ penchant for shocking subjects in the 60 ’ s and 70 ’ s showing concern for the welfare of participants Example: Stanley Milgram ’ s conformity research

Voluntary informed consent Before conducting any research using human participants, a participant ’ s voluntary informed consent must first be obtained: Voluntary: the subject willingly agrees to participate in the study, and is free to withdraw at any time without penalty Informed: the subject is aware of any risks (physical or psychological) associated with participating Consent: the subject ’ s consent is unambiguous, e.g., a signed permission form (no such things as “ implied consent ” )

Exceptions to the consent requirement Low-risk anonymous survey Observations gathered in public places Information in the public domain

Treating participants with respect and dignity the “ subjects ” versus “ participants ” controversy avoiding “ isms ” in research; sexism, racism, ethnocentrism, ageism, etc. ethics of withholding treatment from control groups