Ethics in Research
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Questions and Answers

Which of the following is NOT considered research that does not involve human subjects?

  • Surveys conducted on living individuals (correct)
  • Publicly available biographical accounts
  • Naturalistic observations with no identifying information
  • Quality assurance studies within an organization

    • Research that uses anonymous secondary data does not typically require ethical review.

    True

    What two rights must be balanced according to the REB reviews?

    Rights and welfare of participants and the right of the experimenter to seek knowledge.

    Informed consent processes include disclosure, comprehension, voluntariness, and __________.

    <p>competence</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following ethical principles with their descriptions:

    <p>Informed Consent = Participants must be made aware of the purpose of the research. Confidentiality = Ensuring that personal data is protected. Risk Minimization = Efforts to reduce potential harm to participants. Debriefing = Providing participants with a full explanation after the study.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following principles involves respect for privacy and confidentiality?

    <p>Free and informed consent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Quantitative research prioritizes the influence of the researcher on participants.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main focus of qualitative research methodologies?

    <p>Understanding constructed realities and the experiences of participants.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In research ethics, __________ refers to protecting the rights and welfare of vulnerable populations.

    <p>respect and protect the vulnerable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the research assumptions with their corresponding research type:

    <p>Single, objective = Single-subject Multiple, constructed = Qualitative</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a characteristic of observational research?

    <p>Non-causal relationships</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In single-subject research, generalizability to a wider population is possible.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two key principles emphasized in risk-benefit analysis?

    <p>Benevolence and non-maleficence.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of research is primarily concerned with practical problems?

    <p>Clinical or applied research</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Correlational research involves manipulation of variables.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is an example of an operationally defined variable?

    <p>Reading level</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In a research study, the ________ variable is what the experimenter manipulates.

    <p>independent</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the type of research design with its description:

    <p>Descriptive Research = No manipulation of variables Case Study = Detailed analysis of a unique case Qualitative Research = Focuses on understanding experiences Basic Research = Knowledge for knowledge's sake</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of confounding/extraneous variables in a study?

    <p>They can influence the dependent variable but are not the focus.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Reliable measurements produce different results each time they are taken.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define the term 'dependent variable' in a research context.

    <p>The variable that is influenced or measured in an experiment based on changes in the independent variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does high internal validity indicate regarding the independent variable?

    <p>The independent variable is the only influence on the dependent variable.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Maturation is a threat to internal validity that relates to external changes over time.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Define 'statistical conclusion validity'.

    <p>It refers to the degree to which the conclusions drawn from statistical analysis are reliable and valid.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Internal validity threats such as __________ can result from participants getting better at tests as they take them.

    <p>testing effects</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following threats to internal validity with their descriptions:

    <p>History = External influences occurring over time Instrumentation = Changes in measuring tools affecting findings Participant Selection = Impact of how participants are assigned Subject Attrition = Loss of participants over the course of the study</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of random assignment in an experiment?

    <p>To control for extraneous variables in large groups.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Compensatory rivalry occurs when participants perceive a treatment as unfair and try to compete against it.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one potential effect of participant attrition on a study?

    <p>It can bias the results if participants dropping out are systematically different from those who remain.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following characteristics is NOT typical of experimental science?

    <p>Subjective</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Research ethics boards (REB) are responsible for reviewing all types of research without exception.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a key purpose of research ethics boards?

    <p>To determine adherence to ethical principles in research proposals involving human subjects.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Research must be _____ to accommodate new evidence as it becomes available.

    <p>tentative</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the types of research methodologies with their purposes:

    <p>Qualitative = Explores complex phenomena through interviews and observations Quantitative = Tests hypotheses using statistical analysis Experimental = Investigates cause-and-effect relationships through controlled conditions Descriptive = Describes characteristics of a population or phenomenon</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does a hypothesis involve?

    <p>A prediction about relationships between variables</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A good theory must always be complex and intricately detailed.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one responsibility of researchers regarding their findings?

    <p>To report results honestly and accurately.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Research involves a disciplined inquiry aimed at extending _____ through systematic investigation.

    <p>knowledge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the types of research proposals with their ethical considerations:

    <p>Human participants = Must receive informed consent Human biological material = Must ensure anonymity Animal research = Must adhere to specific care standards Data analysis = Must respect privacy and confidentiality</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Research Methods

    • Research is a disciplined inquiry and/or systematic investigation to extend knowledge. The method, results, and conclusions should withstand scrutiny within the relevant research community.
    • Research has three key characteristics: challenges the status quo, is creative, and is systematic.

    Characteristics of (Experimental) Science

    • Systematic: Following a planned approach.
    • Public: Research findings and methods are shared publicly.
    • Peer review: Research is reviewed by experts in the field.
    • Empirical testing: Based on observation and experimentation.
    • Experimental control: Modifying variables, to different degrees.
    • Probabilistic knowledge: Results are not absolute.
    • Can never prove anything completely: Results are likely, but not certain
    • Replication: Ensuring results can be reproduced.
    • No one study answers every question: Research is a continuing process.
    • Objective: Unbiased.
    • Neutral: Without personal bias.

    Model of Scientific Thought

    • Scientific thought is cyclical.
    • The model shows the relationship between facts and theory.
    • Inductive reasoning (theory development) moves from facts to theory
    • Deductive reasoning (theory testing) is from theory to facts.

    Good Theories

    • Account for existing data.
    • Provide explanatory value.
    • Provide predictive value.
    • Are testable.
    • Are parsimonious (simple).
    • Are efficient (only as complicated as necessary).
    • Are tentative and modified as new evidence arises.

    Research Question/Hypotheses

    • Hypothesis: Predicts a relationship between variables. Assumes other relationships are possible.
    • Research Question: Does not predict a relationship.
    • Both (Hypothesis and Research Question): Often specifically focused and testable.

    Research Question Development

    • The progression follows: Topic, Problem, Theory, Question. The question is often found at the end of the introduction.

    Ethics in Science

    • Research ethics is crucial for ensuring ethical conduct.
    • Researchers should pursue relevant and meaningful questions, use sound research practices, and report honestly.
    • Avoiding plagiarism and managing conflicts of interest are critical ethical considerations.
    • Researchers should consider society's impact, and study outcomes and implications.

    Research vs Practice

    • Intent: New knowledge (unknown benefit) versus treatment (assumed benefit)
    • Innovation: Novelty in practice versus accepted practice.
    • Plan: Consistency versus individualized approach.

    Research Ethics Boards (REB)

    • Definition: Groups in an institution that review research proposals involving human participants.
    • Roles: REBs approve, reject, or propose changes to proposals based on ethical principles. They may audit, terminate or otherwise manage research.

    Reviews (REB considerations)

    • Research involving human subjects includes: human participants, human biological materials or data.
    • Dalhousie REBs (institution) include: Health Sciences, Social Sciences & Humanities Research Ethics Boards. Also a separate board for animal research.

    What Doesn't Need an REB Review

    • Research not involving human subjects or publicly available information about living individuals.
    • Naturalistic observations (non-staged)
    • No personally identifying information or data.
    • No reasonable expectation of privacy.
    • Secondary use of anonymous data.
    • Quality assurance, performance, or normal education/clinical requirements.

    REB Reviews (focus)

    • Balances rights and welfare of participants with the experimenter's right to seek knowledge.
    • Focus on attainment of ethical principles, scientific merit, minimization of risk and benefits ratios.
    • The recruitment process, informed consent, deception, storage & management, and confidentiality are assessed.

    Important Concepts

    • Respect human rights and dignity
    • Morally acceptable ends and means
    • Respect for persons and community
    • Free and informed consent
    • Respect for the vulnerable and recognition of traditionally exploited groups.
    • Respect for privacy, confidentiality, and anonymity.
    • Risk Benefit Analysis
    • Benevolence
    • Non-maleficence
    • Justice
    • Fairness
    • Inclusivity

    Tri-Council

    • Online course on ethics for researchers involving human participants and REB members (link provided).

    Research Paradigms

    • Quantitative
    • Qualitative
    • Single-subject

    Assumptions of Research Paradigms

    • Quantitative: Single, objective researcher, independent and dependent variables, influences do not affect the researcher, desirable generalizability from sample to population, causal relationship, value-free.
    • Qualitative: Multiple, constructed realities, dependent and independent variables, but researcher influences, specific, situation, non-generalizable to population, correlation, value-bound.
    • Single-subject: Single, objective researcher, single or few individual subjects, independent and dependent variables, may be specific, non-generalizable, correlational, value-free

    Research Methods (Quantitative, Qualitative, Single Subject) - Table

    • Method (Theory, Number of participants, etc.). and relevant details for each (e.g., Quantitative: A priori, groups, random selection).

    Research Types

    • Experimental vs. observational/descriptive/non-experimental
    • Experimental (something has been manipulated): experimental group, quasi-experimental group; groups are preexisting, single subject designs, examples (e.g., Head injuries).
    • Descriptive research (No manipulation): developmental, normative, correlational & predictive, qualitative, case study
    • Describing the nature of unique case without manipulating anything.

    Research Types (Basic Clinical/Applied)

    • Basic research: used to develop, define, test theories, not motivated by practical application(for knowledge's sake), may have implications.
    • Clinical or applied research: directed to an immediate problem.

    Variables

    • Independent: Manipulated by the experimenter.
    • Dependent: Influenced by the independent variable.
    • Confounding/Extraneous: Varied, but not the study focus, can affect results. Control these variables where possible.

    Variables (details)

    • Operational definition: How a variable is measured in the study.
    • Reliability: Consistency of measurements.
    • Validity: Accuracy in representing the variable.

    Experimental Validity

    • Internal validity: Confidence that a change in the dependent variable is caused by the independent variable (control of extraneous factors).
    • Threats to internal validity: History, maturation, testing effects, instrumentation, statistical regression to the mean, participant selection & assignment, subject attrition, diffusion or imitation of treatment, compensatory equalization of treatment, compensatory rivalry or resentful demoralization, experimenter expectancies, (Items in the list under construct validity)
    • External validity: How well the study results can be generalized to other populations and settings (generalizability).
    • Threats to external validity: Selection of participants, reactive testing, setting, time, multiple treatment interactions.

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    Research Methods Lecture

    Description

    Test your knowledge on ethical considerations in research involving human subjects. This quiz covers topics such as informed consent, ethical reviews, and principles guiding research practices. Ensure you understand the rights and responsibilities in research ethics.

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