Ethical Implications of Research Studies and Theory

including references to social sensitivity

what is the basis of the issue of ethical implications?

only a small amount of research is intended to have a negative impact on people

however sometimes researchers may overlook the negative impact their research might have

give some examples of ways research could negatively impact people.

• how research might be used for public policy

• how certain groups of people are regarded

what is sieber and stanley’s definition of socially sensitive research?

studies in which there are potential consequences or implications, either directly for the participants in the research or for the individuals represented by the research

what 4 things do sieber and stanley say the researcher need to consider when conducting socially sensitive research?

• the research question → some questions could be damaging for a particular group e.g. “are there racial differences in IQ?”

• the methodology used → the rights of the P e.g. if the P admits to committing a crime, should the researcher pass this on

• who is funding the research

• how the findings will be interpreted and applied to society → how they might be used to shape social policy and law

how is bowlby’s monotropic theory socially sensitive?

bowlby felt that the best person to bring up the child was biological mothers

socially sensitive as it implies that women should stay at home and look after the children rather than pursue career opportunities

what may have bowlby’s monotropic theory influenced in society?

• influenced views on childcare

• modern women may feel guilty for working and leaving their child at daycare

• could have influenced legal norm that mothers are granted custody more often

• influences the perception of the role of the father as less important

what influenced haddow (1926) report on education which led to the creation of the 11+ exam?

research from cyril burt (1955) providing evidence that intelligence was genetic

view of separate education remained for many years and some think it still should be used today

what were the findings of cyril burt’s (1955) research into intelligence being genetic?

twin studies showed a heritability coefficient of 0.77

what is controversial about cyril burt’s (1955) research?

it was later revealed that he made up a lot of his data which led him to being publically discredited

how does the IQ test have a controversial history which provides an argument against publishing socially sensitive research?

• under eugenics legislation, between 1907-1963, 64,000 individuals in the USA were forcibly sterilised

• this was ‘justified’ on the basis of research findings using IQ tests on BA which showed them to have lower scores in comparison to WA

• it was also applied to drug addicts and the mentally ill

= the research gave scientific credence to prejudice and discrimination

how can socially sensitive research have benefits for the group who have been studied (strength)?

• DSM in 1952 listed homosexuality as a “sociopathic personality disorder”

• it was later removed due to research by kinsey et al. (1948) which stated “homosexuality is a typical expression of human sexual behaviour”

• based on data from 500 men and 6000 women

what ways are there of dealing with the issue of socially sensitive research?

• cost-benefit analysis

• ethics committees and peer reviews → makes decisions about what actually gets published

• not publishing the research → if you think there will be a bad outcome/knowledge will be used harmfully

• being careful how to frame the research question/hypothesis