OT 580 Research (Ethics)

risks that have been associated with medical and social research can include...

physical harm

psychological harm

embarrassment

loss of privacy

feeling forced to act in a way that is different from normal

what is the exception for harm in a study?

if harm is judged to be minimal in comparison to the possible benefits of the gain of the research, even then participants have to be informed of this and should in no way be forced to participate

you should inform people what could happen even if....

it's not likely (ex. running on a treadmill; warn of heart attack, passing out, falling...)

ways to protect research from harm

1. informed consent- participants should know what is going on

-possible risks

-can refuse to participate

-know all aspects

-consequences of declining/withdrawing

2. ensuring confidentiality

3. deception

4. researchers provide participants with information about the study

5. reporting of results (accurately)

6. publication credit (who is going to get authorship)

7. Sharing data to participants

when can you do research on a legally incompetent person?

rare cases

you can dispense with informed consent if....

research is based on anonymous questionnaires and natural observations

when should researchers provide participants with the results of the study?

ASAP

what are you required to report even with even with confidentiality?

1. if someone is going to harm themselves

2. child/elder abuse

3. harm others

deception should only be used if

it would not effect willingness to participate

when should you tell the participants about deception?

wait until after participation (ideally) but can wait until the end of the study