Research Ethics Overview

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the Animal Welfare Act of 1966?

To enhance human-animal bonding in public spaces.

To establish strict punishment for animal cruelty.

To promote the use of animals in entertainment.

To set general standards for animal care in research and exhibition. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT one of the three principles for reviewing animal research?

Reduction

Regulation (correct)

Replacement

Refinement

What does the Canadian Council for Animal Care aim to achieve?

To regulate animal population control methods.

To encourage more extensive animal use in laboratories.

To prevent harm to animals used in science. (correct)

To promote animal testing for commercial purposes.

When must a research team apply for permission from a research ethics committee?

Prior to the research beginning. Signup and view all the answers

What is an important aspect of the decision-making process for research ethics committees?

Whether the benefits outweigh the risks. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of research ethics?

To balance advancing knowledge with non-interference Signup and view all the answers

Which document established foundational ethical guidelines following WWII?

Nuremberg Code Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the principles outlined in the Belmont Report?

Respect for persons and their autonomy Signup and view all the answers

Which guideline from the Nuremberg Code addresses the minimization of suffering?

No unnecessary physical/mental suffering Signup and view all the answers

What does the principle of beneficence in research ethics entail?

Minimizing harm and maximizing benefits Signup and view all the answers

What does research integrity involve?

Transparency in reporting findings Signup and view all the answers

Why is the competence of researchers included in the Nuremberg Code?

To build trust in research processes Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of research ethics relates to participant selection?

Research designs and strategies Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes research mistakes from research fraud?

Research mistakes often lead to published errata, while fraud leads to retraction. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of scientific misconduct?

Failing to cite a source properly. Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant function of the safeguards mentioned for scientific integrity?

To ensure replication and peer review. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following correctly describes plagiarism?

Using another's ideas without appropriate acknowledgment. Signup and view all the answers

Which event would most likely lead to a publication retraction?

Discovering data fabrication in a research study. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of retractions are attributed to issues like fabrication and falsification?

50% Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of Retraction Watch?

To document and track instances of bad science. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following actions is a common safeguard for ensuring scientific integrity?

Peer review. Signup and view all the answers

What should you check for when verifying if an image has been edited?

Consistency in lighting and shadows Signup and view all the answers

What tool can you use to find the original source of an image?

Google images reverse search Signup and view all the answers

Which piece of metadata can help determine if an image has been manipulated?

The date it was last saved Signup and view all the answers

In the context of image editing, what does 'Image Cloning' refer to?

Superimposing an image on the original image Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect should NOT be considered when testing images for edits?

Evaluate the image's popularity on social media Signup and view all the answers

What is a common indicator that an image may have been altered?

Unnatural reflections or shadows Signup and view all the answers

What emotional response might trigger a need to verify an image's authenticity?

Strong outrage or anger Signup and view all the answers

What should you consider regarding facial features when verifying an image?

Consistency of eye color and features Signup and view all the answers

What is the attribution error in the context of conspiracy theories?

Overestimating causes related to human motives and underestimating situational factors. Signup and view all the answers

How does confirmation bias affect people's perception of information?

People give greater credence to evidence that aligns with their beliefs. Signup and view all the answers

What did the experiment by Lord et al. (1979) reveal about the belief in capital punishment?

Students remained more committed to their original perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant finding from the analysis of news stories tweeted on Twitter?

False news spread faster than true news. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary consequence of confirmation bias in social contexts?

Cohesion of group beliefs leading to polarization. Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the discussed content, what is meant by 'evidence we ignore'?

Evidence that contradicts our pre-existing views. Signup and view all the answers

Why might people believe in conspiracy theories according to psychological factors?

Due to a natural tendency to seek complex explanations. Signup and view all the answers

Based on the content, what role does social context play in attribution error?

It is underestimated compared to human motives. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Research Ethics

Research ethics define what is acceptable in research.
Research ethics help define what a 'moral' research procedure entails.
Research ethics address the concerns, dilemmas, and conflicts regarding the proper conduct of research.
Research ethics apply to both participants and experimenters.
The ethical practice of research balances the value of advancing knowledge with the value of non-interference in the lives of others.

Historical Roots

The Nuremberg Code (1947) was developed as a result of atrocities committed in Nazi experiments during WWII.
The Nuremberg Code forms the foundation for ethical guidelines used today in psychological and medical research.
The Belmont Report (1979) outlines three core ethical principles:
- Respect for persons: Individuals should consent and those unable to consent need to be protected.
- Beneficence: Research should minimize risks and maximize benefits for participants.
- Justice: The benefits and burdens of research should be distributed fairly.
The Animal Welfare Act (1966) sets general standards for animal care in research and exhibition.
The Canadian Council for Animal Care (1968) establishes standards for the care, treatment, and use of animals in science in Canada.

University Research Ethics Boards

All research teams must apply to a research ethics committee for approval before research begins.
Ethics committees exist in universities and funding agencies.

Scientific Ethics / Integrity: Publication Issues

Scientific integrity is crucial for maintaining trust in research.
Key issues in scientific integrity include:
- Mistakes versus fraud: Mistakes can be corrected with errata; intentional fraud requires retractions.
- Data fabrication and falsification: Invention or distortion of data, undermining the validity of research.
- Plagiarism: Using another person's words or ideas without appropriate attribution.
- Ghostwriting and fake peer reviews: Presenting someone else's work as one's own or manipulating the peer review process to favor certain publications.
Safeguards for scientific integrity include replication, peer review, and oversight from organizations like Retraction Watch.

Psychological Causes of Conspiracy Theories

Attribution error: People tend to overemphasize human motives and underestimate situational factors when explaining events.
Confirmation bias: People prefer and give more weight to evidence that aligns with their existing beliefs, often rejecting or ignoring contradictory information.

Experimental Evidence for Confirmation Bias

Studies demonstrate that people are more likely to believe evidence that supports their pre-existing views.
Confirmation bias can contribute to the spread of misinformation and polarization of opinions.

Disinformation Through Image Editing

Edited images can be used to spread false information.
Image editing tools can be used to alter photographs to create misleading narratives.
Examples include:
- Altering a photograph to make it seem like an individual is engaging in an action they did not take.
- Superimposing individuals in images to suggest false interactions or associations.

Testing Whether an Image Has Been Edited

Several tools and techniques can be used to verify the authenticity of images.
Google Images: Search for an image online to find its origin and compare potential edits.
Visual Clues: Analyze the image for inconsistencies in lighting, reflections, shadows, and object sizes.
Metadata check: Examine the image's metadata for clues about its origins and history.
Image Cloning: Look for signs of image manipulation or superimposition.
Facial features: Check for inconsistencies in facial features, such as eye reflections.
Lighting: Observe whether light sources and shadows in an image are consistent.

When Are Scientific Findings False News?

Scientific findings can be misconstrued as false news if they are presented in a way that is misleading or taken out of context.
Research findings should be interpreted carefully and considered within the larger scientific context.

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Description

This quiz explores the fundamental principles of research ethics, including its historical roots and key guidelines like the Nuremberg Code and the Belmont Report. Participants will learn about the core ethical principles of respect for persons, beneficence, and justice that shape responsible research practices.