1. Chapter 5 Research Ethics
All researchers, even students, have a responsibility to conduct ethical research
Participants in research studies should know and understand their rights and responsibilities
Ethical considerations are part of the design of the research project

2. Ethical Questions in Planning Research
Researcher has two broad ethical responsibilities
Scientific responsibility for following established guidelines and conducting research that will yield knowledge worth knowing
The researcher’s relationship to participants as it affects collection, interpretation, and reporting of data

3. Ethical Questions in Planning Research
What are the benefits of this study?
How will the consent of participants be gained?
How will confidentiality/anonymity be handled?
Are the participants appropriate for the study?
Are there potential physical or psychological harms
How will the researcher’s role affect the study?
Is the research design valid, credible?
Is researcher capable of conducting the study?

4. The Belmont Report
Guidelines adopted by federal departments and agencies
Three ethical principles
Beneficence
Respect for persons
Justice
Goal is to design study to uphold these principles to the fullest degree possible

5. Beneficence The well-being of participants is protected
Participants protected from harm
Researcher must maximize possible benefits
Benefits to participants must outweigh the risks

6. Respect for Persons Treat individuals as capable of making decisions
Refrain from making choices for participants
Participants must feel free to volunteer; no coercion
Protecting those not capable of making their own decisions

7. Justice Issues of fairness All participants treated equally
Selection of participants
Am I systematically selecting one group of participants because they are
Easily available?
In a position making it difficult to say no?
In a position in which they can be manipulated into participating?

8. Institutional Review Board
Institutional Review Board – IRB
Human Subjects Review
In place in each university to consider the soundness and reasonableness of research proposals
Submit proposal before any data are collected
Boards determine if rights and welfare of research participants are adequately protected

9. IRB Proposals Research questions or hypotheses
Brief review of literature
Description of how participants are recruited/selected
Informed consent
Research methods
How benefits are maximized, risks minimized
Anonymity & confidentiality
Investigator’s background

10. Informed Consent
Information must be given to participants any time data are collected from them
Creates obligations and responsibilities for the researcher
Participant consent must be given voluntarily
Written in a manner participants can understand – clear and accurate

11. Elements of Informed Consent
Identification of researcher and organization
Purpose of study
Features of the research process
Expected duration
Possible risks and benefits
How confidentiality and anonymity will be assured
Any physical or psychological harms
If deception is used
To whom follow-up questions can be directed
Participation is voluntary
Can discontinue at any time or refuse to participate without penalty
Indication that participant should have copy of form

12. Informed Consent for Quantitative Research
Traditionally applied to all quantitative projects
Describes the exact procedures
Indicates if participants will be exposed to any materials that may be threatening or distasteful
May require participant to sign and return a copy of the form

13. Informed Consent for Qualitative Research
IRB will decide if informed consent is needed based on
Is interaction occurring naturally in a public setting?
Will researcher’s interaction with participants in that setting create negative consequences for any of the participants?
Always check with your IRB to see if consent is required

14. Ethical Issues in Conducting Research
Intentional deception
Use of confederates
Physical and psychological harm
Upholding anonymity and confidentiality
Videotaping and audiotaping participants
Debriefing participants

15. Ethical Issues in Reporting Research
Ensuring accuracy
Researcher is always responsible for accuracy regardless of who helps
Avoiding plagiarism by
Using direct quotes with proper citations
Using summaries or paraphrases
Acknowledge ideas or contributions
Protecting identities of participants