Research Ethics

Definition

Research ethics refers to the set of principles and guidelines that ensure the integrity and ethical conduct of research involving human participants. This includes obtaining informed consent, ensuring confidentiality, and minimizing harm to participants. In the context of studies on conformity and obedience, ethical considerations are crucial to protect individuals who may be influenced or coerced during the research process.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Research ethics were significantly highlighted by classic studies like those conducted by Stanley Milgram and Solomon Asch, where participants faced potential psychological harm.
2. The principle of minimizing harm is essential in research ethics, emphasizing that any potential risks to participants should be outweighed by the benefits of the research.
3. Debriefing is an important aspect of ethical research; it involves informing participants about the true purpose of the study after their participation, especially if deception was used.
4. The Nuremberg Code and the Belmont Report are foundational documents that outline key ethical principles in human research, including respect for persons, beneficence, and justice.
5. Violations of research ethics can lead to significant consequences, including retraction of studies, loss of funding, and damage to the credibility of researchers and institutions.

Review Questions

• How do principles of research ethics apply to classic studies in conformity and obedience?
  • Principles of research ethics apply directly to classic studies in conformity and obedience by highlighting the need for informed consent and minimizing potential psychological harm. In these studies, participants may be subjected to stress or discomfort due to social pressures or obedience to authority figures. Researchers must ensure that participants understand what they are agreeing to and that their well-being is prioritized throughout the study.
• Discuss the role of Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) in maintaining research ethics in studies involving human subjects.
  • Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a vital role in maintaining research ethics by reviewing study proposals to ensure that they adhere to ethical standards. They evaluate factors such as risk assessment, informed consent processes, and potential benefits versus harms. IRBs serve as a safeguard for participants by ensuring that their rights and welfare are protected before a study is approved.
• Evaluate the impact of unethical practices in classic conformity and obedience studies on contemporary research ethics guidelines.
  • Unethical practices in classic conformity and obedience studies have had a profound impact on contemporary research ethics guidelines. The psychological distress experienced by participants in these studies led to stronger regulations that emphasize informed consent, debriefing, and participant welfare. These historical lessons have shaped current ethical standards, ensuring that modern research prioritizes the rights and well-being of participants while fostering trust in scientific inquiry.

Related terms

Informed Consent:

The process of obtaining voluntary agreement from participants to partake in research after being fully informed of the nature, risks, and benefits of the study.

Institutional Review Board (IRB): A committee that reviews research proposals to ensure that ethical standards are met, particularly regarding the protection of human subjects.

Deception in Research: A practice where researchers withhold information or mislead participants about certain aspects of the study, often used to prevent bias but raises ethical concerns.