Podcast
Questions and Answers
What assumption have many psychologists made regarding ethical concerns in research?
What assumption have many psychologists made regarding ethical concerns in research?
What was one significant finding from Caughy et al. (1994) regarding children in daycare?
What was one significant finding from Caughy et al. (1994) regarding children in daycare?
Which group is primarily concerned with the implications of socially sensitive research?
Which group is primarily concerned with the implications of socially sensitive research?
What can be a potential harm of administering IQ tests to black Americans?
What can be a potential harm of administering IQ tests to black Americans?
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Which of the following is NOT one of Sieber & Stanley's (1988) four groups affected by psychological research?
Which of the following is NOT one of Sieber & Stanley's (1988) four groups affected by psychological research?
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Which ethical concern is highlighted by Sieber & Stanley (1988) regarding the institutional context of research?
Which ethical concern is highlighted by Sieber & Stanley (1988) regarding the institutional context of research?
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Which of the following statements reflects a common misconception about ethical research practices?
Which of the following statements reflects a common misconception about ethical research practices?
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What is one key aspect that should be considered in socially sensitive research?
What is one key aspect that should be considered in socially sensitive research?
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What is the main concern related to confidentiality in socially sensitive research (SSR)?
What is the main concern related to confidentiality in socially sensitive research (SSR)?
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Which ethical guideline emphasizes the importance of sound and valid methodology in SSR?
Which ethical guideline emphasizes the importance of sound and valid methodology in SSR?
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What should researchers do to avoid unethical practices according to Sieber and Stanley?
What should researchers do to avoid unethical practices according to Sieber and Stanley?
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Which of the following represents a guideline for informed consent in SSR?
Which of the following represents a guideline for informed consent in SSR?
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What is a potential negative outcome of flawed research in the context of SSR?
What is a potential negative outcome of flawed research in the context of SSR?
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How did SSR help to improve eyewitness testimony (EWT)?
How did SSR help to improve eyewitness testimony (EWT)?
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Which ethical guideline addresses the issue of deception in research?
Which ethical guideline addresses the issue of deception in research?
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What potential conflict arises from the researcher's values in socially sensitive research?
What potential conflict arises from the researcher's values in socially sensitive research?
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What historical example illustrates unethical treatment in research mentioned in the guidelines?
What historical example illustrates unethical treatment in research mentioned in the guidelines?
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What aspect of SSR is highlighted as particularly scrutinized compared to other research types?
What aspect of SSR is highlighted as particularly scrutinized compared to other research types?
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What ethical concern arises from the ownership of data in SSR?
What ethical concern arises from the ownership of data in SSR?
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What is a recommended practice for researchers when reporting their findings, particularly in sensitive topics?
What is a recommended practice for researchers when reporting their findings, particularly in sensitive topics?
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Why is cost/benefit analysis particularly challenging in SSR?
Why is cost/benefit analysis particularly challenging in SSR?
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Which of the following best describes the dual approaches advocated by psychologists in SSR?
Which of the following best describes the dual approaches advocated by psychologists in SSR?
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Study Notes
Ethical Issues in Socially Sensitive Research
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Socially sensitive research (SSR) raises ethical concerns beyond simple participant safety. Researchers must consider the potential impact on the wider social group being studied, including family members and the research team itself.
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Examples of SSR include studies on the link between early childcare and cognitive scores in middle-class children or IQ differences between racial groups, showing the findings do not only affect participants but impact broader societal perceptions and potentially discrimination.
Affected Groups in Socially Sensitive Research
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Members of the studied social group: Initial research on IQ, for instance, has been unfairly used to discriminate against black Americans.
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Friends and relatives of participants: Case studies, especially those involving individuals gaining notoriety, can impact their families in unforeseen ways.
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The research team: The nature of the research topic can create intimidation or pressure for researchers.
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The research institution: Socially sensitive findings can generate implications for the reputation of the institution conducting the research.
Key Ethical Concerns in SSR
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Research question/hypothesis: The design and focus of the research question can themselves be problematic, leading to potential harm.
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Treatment of individual participants: Ensuring that the research procedures are ethically sound in terms of privacy, confidentiality, and any potential risks, is paramount.
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Institutional context: Consideration needs to be given to the potential biases of the institution (or individual researcher) carrying out the research.
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Interpretation and application of findings: How the results are interpreted and presented publicly to both the media and policy-makers is critical to the ethical validity of the research.
Ethical Guidelines for Socially Sensitive Research
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Privacy: Respecting individuals' personal information, especially when asking sensitive questions.
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Confidentiality: Safeguarding participants' information to protect their personal lives.
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Methodology: Using robust and valid methods to ensure that research findings are reliable and well-supported. The public may accept findings as fact when they are flawed.
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Deception: Avoiding misleading the public with findings.
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Informed consent: Full disclosure of how the research may affect participants and the risks/benefits the research might have.
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Justice and equitable treatment: Ensuring that no group is unjustly impacted by the research or that treatment is not withheld from particular groups for comparative study. Example of unethical research: withholding treatment for STIs from black men.
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Scientific freedom: Allowing research on sensitive topics while monitoring potential harm or abuse.
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Ownership of data: Ensuring all parties involved have their rights and interests accounted for when research is commissioned and findings made publicly accessible.
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Researcher values: Recognising the differing beliefs (humanistic vs scientific) of researchers and research participants or institutions.
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Cost-benefit analysis: Calculating the potential benefits of the research against the costs to individuals and groups.
Arguments For Socially Sensitive Research
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Improved understanding: Studies on socially sensitive issues can lead to improved understanding and reducing prejudice against certain groups.
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Flawed research: Studies on areas like eyewitness testimony (EWT) have shown how unreliable observations can be.
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Redressing societal biases: Addressing existing imbalances in research, such as focusing on white middle-class American participants, is important to reduce cultural biases.
Arguments Against Socially Sensitive Research
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Harmful social policies: History shows that flawed research can contribute to negative social policies and disadvantage specific groups.
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Lack of safeguards: Ethical guidelines may struggle to prevent problematic research from occurring, leading to negative consequences for many groups.
Further Considerations for the Researcher
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Additional care: More careful consideration of participants when research is socially sensitive.
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Awareness of interpretation: Understanding how others might interpret the research findings.
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Explicit assumptions: Acknowledging any assumptions underlying the research.
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Research limitations: Clarifying limitations of the research methodology (sample, etc.).
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Media and policy communication: Cautious communication with policymakers and media to avoid misrepresentation of findings.
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Researcher/participant balance: Balancing responsibilities to participants with the need for societal benefit.
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Researcher biases: Identifying and acknowledging their own values and biases and those of participants.
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Description
This quiz explores the ethical concerns associated with socially sensitive research (SSR). It examines how research impacts not just participants, but also their families and the broader societal context, including issues of discrimination and stigma. Participants will analyze various examples of SSR and their implications for ethical research practices.
