Quantitative Research Methods Lecture 4

according to the HPCSA, what are the key ethical principles when conducting research

non-maleficence, confidentiality, beneficence, justice, informed consent, right to withdraw

beneficence

do good that benefits the participants (benefits > risk)

non-maleficence

do no harm to the participants

what must participants be conformed about

• the purpose of the research

• methods used

• potential risks and benefits

• their rights to withdraw without repercussion

right to withdraw

participants must be allowed to withdraw at any point without any repercussions

confidentiality

researchers must protect privacy of participants and keep their information confidential

how can you keep confidentiality

• use pseudonyms

• store information in secure location

avoid deception

deception should be avoided unless absolutely necessary and justified 

debriefing

after, participants should be debriefed especially in cases where deception was used

respect for persons

treat all participants with respect, acknowledge their dignity and integrity

fair participant selection

selection of participants should be fair and avoid any form of discrimination

justice 

participants must be treated justly and in accordance with what is right 

what violations happened in the Stanford prison experiment

• no clear informed consent

• extreme emotional distress

• researcher acted as the warden as well as the principal researcher → objectivity compromised

• researcher did not immediately stope the abuse

what ethical violations happened in the Migram Obedience Study

• extreme psychological distress (non-maleficence)

• deception

• no proper informed consent or debriefing

what ethical violations happened in Little Albert

• no informed consent

• no attempt to de-condition the fear

• potential long term psychological trauma

what ethical violations happened in the monster study 

• severe psychological trauma 

• no informed consent 

• exploitation of a vulnerable population which violates principles of fair selection 

what ethical violations happened in the Tuskgee Syphilis Study

• no informed consent

• deception

• withdrawal of medical treatment

• exploitation of a marginalised group