ByPamela M. Veroy RN, MAN

Ethical dilemmas – research problems in which participants’ rights and study demands are put in direct conflict

Codes of Ethics – have been developed to guide the efforts of researchers

The term “ethics” – refers to questions of right and wrong. The researcher must ask themselves if it is right to conduct a study or investigate a certain question.

As conforming to the standards of conduct of a given profession or group.

The educator carries out the research with respect and concern for the dignity and welfare of the people who participate.

Basic question to ask when researcher think about “ethics”:

“Wil l any physical or psychological harm come to anyone as a result of my research?”

1. Nuremberg Code –developed after the Nazi atrocities were made public in the Nuremberg trials

2. Declaration of Helsinki – adopted in 1964 by the World Medical Association and then revised in 2000

3. Ethical Guidelines in the Conduct, Dissemination, and Implementation of Nursing Research (1995)

4. Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (1992)

1. The protection of participants from harm 2. The ensuring of confidentiality of

research data 3. The question of deception of the

subjects. How can these issues be addressed? How can the interests of the subjects

involved in research be protected?

The Principle of Beneficence Wherein it encompasses the maxim: Above all, do no

harm.a. Freedom from harmb. Freedom from exploitationc. Benefits from researchd. The risk/benefit ratio The researcher should carefully consider whether there

is any likelihood of risk involved, and if there is, provide full information followed by formal consent to participants (or their guardians).

INFORMED CONSENT Means that participants have adequate

information regarding the research, are capable of comprehending the information, and have the power of free choice, enabling them to consent to or decline participation voluntarily.

The risk/benefit ratio: Minimal r isk – is defined as risks anticipated to

be no greater than those ordinarily encountered in daily life or during routine physical or psychological tests or procedures.

Any sort of the study that is likely to cause lasting, or even serious harm or discomfort to any participant should not be considered, unless;

The researcher has the potential to provide information of extreme benefit to human beings.. No way required to participate.

The Principle of Respect for Human Dignitya. The right to self-determinationSelf-determination – means that prospective

participants have the right to decide voluntarily whether to participate in the study, without risking any penalty or prejudicial treatment.

b. The right to full disclosure- the participants should be fully informed of the dangers involved

The Principle of Justicea. The right to fair treatmentb. The right to privacy Researcher should make sure that no one else (other

than perhaps a few key research assistants) had access to the data.

The name of the subjects should be removed and must assign by letters or numbers (code) that not even the researcher can link the data to the subject.

The studies cannot be carried out unless some deception of subjects takes place.

Sometime it would be better if the researcher will employ a “Confederate”.

Sometimes it is better to deceive subjects than to cause them pain or trauma.

Example: The famous Milgram study of obedience:

To give electric shocks to another subject whom they could not see sitting behind a screen.

The dependent variable is the level of shock subjects administered before they refused to administered anymore.

26 out of 40 followed the “orders”. FACTS: The individual who were administering the

shocks was a confederate of the experimenter, and no shock were actually being administered.

This study produced widespread controversy. The study not only has deception but also

harm; some participants could have suffered emotionally from their actions.

Current professional guidelines are as follows:

1. The study conducted must not use of any means of deception towards the participants

2. If alternative methods cannot be devised, the researcher must determine whether the use of deception is justified by the prospective study’s scientific, educational, or applied value

3. If the participants are deceived the researcher must ensure that the participants are provided with sufficient explanation as soon as possible.

It affects the reputation of the scientific community The public would think that scientists and

researchers were liars; and the overall image of science may suffer.

Fewer and fewer people will be willing to participate in research investigations.

Our search for reliable knowledge about the world may be impeded.

1. Participant status2. Study goals3. Type of data4. Procedures5. Nature of the commitment6. Sponsorship7. Participant selection8. Potential risks

9. Potential benefits10. Alternatives11. Compensation12. Confidentiality pledge13. Voluntary consent14. Right to withdraw and withhold information15. Contact information

1. Children2. Mentally or emotionally disabled people3. Severely ill or physically disabled people4. The terminally ill5. Institutionalized people6. Pregnant women Children are more vulnerable, have fewer legal

rights, and often do not understand the meaning of “informed consent”.

Require a group of high school sophomores to sign a form in which they agree to participate in a research study

Asks first graders sensitive questions without obtaining the consent of their parents to question them

Deletes data he collects that do not support his hypotheses

Requires university students to fill out a questionnaire about their sexual practices

Before any research involving human beings can be conducted at an institution that receives federal funds, it must be reviewed by an institutional review board (IRB) at the institution.

The federal agency that has the major responsibility for establishing the guidelines for research studies that involve human subjects is the Department of Health (DOH) and Human Services.

Directions: Answer the following questions 1. My research title is:_____________ 2. The possibilities for harm to participants (if any) are as

follows:_________________ I would handle these problems as follows:___ 3. The possibilities of problems of confidentiality (if any)

are as follows:______ I would handle these problems as follows:___ 4. The possibilities of problems of deception (if any) are

as follows:__________ I would handle these problems as follows:___ 5. If you think your proposed study would fit the

guidelines for exempt status, state why here:___________________