Questions and Answers
What is a code of ethics in research?
Which of the following are principles of the ASA code of ethics? (Select all that apply)
What is confidentiality in research?
The obligation to protect the identities and data of research subjects.
What is a conflict of interest in research?
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Sociologists must practice ______ neutrality in their research.
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Why do we have ethics in research?
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Study Notes
Code of Ethics
- A formal set of standards guiding sociologists in research practices.
- The American Sociological Association (ASA) established the original code in 1971 and revised it in 1997.
ASA Code of Ethics Principles
- Emphasizes objectivity and integrity throughout the research process.
- Ensures respect for subjects' privacy and dignity.
- Protects subjects from any potential personal harm.
- Preserves the confidentiality of participant data.
- Requires informed consent from participants, especially in private contexts.
- Mandates acknowledgment of any research collaboration and assistance provided.
- Obligates disclosure of all financial support sources involved in research.
Confidentiality
- Essential for protecting participant identity, especially when providing demographic data.
- Ethical considerations arise regarding confidentiality, particularly relative to sample size.
Conflict of Interest
- Acceptance of funding from entities that may benefit from research results can undermine research objectivity and integrity.
- This highlights the importance of maintaining independence in research outcomes.
Value Neutrality
- Ethical considerations extend beyond research methods and funding, affecting result interpretations.
- Max Weber argued researchers should separate personal feelings from data analysis.
- Researchers must uphold value neutrality, accepting findings even if they contradict personal biases.
- Although sociologists may hold opinions, they are ethically bound to minimize biases in their work.
Importance of Research Ethics
- Historical experiments like the Milgram obedience experiment and Zimbardo prison study illustrate significant ethical violations.
- While these studies yielded valuable data, the treatment of subjects raised critical ethical concerns.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the American Sociological Association's Code of Ethics. This quiz covers key principles such as objectivity, informed consent, confidentiality, and conflict of interest in sociological research. Understand how these standards guide ethical practices in research.
