In which of the following studies would it be ethically necessary to obtain informed consent to collect and use the data?
A) trying a new behavior modification technique on a hyperactive 5 year old child
B) seeing what proportion of pedestrians will pick up a piece of litter next to a trash can
C) seeing if a wait person smiling at a customer will increase the size of a tip
D) doing observations of homosexual couples at a public Gay Pride rally

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Informed consent is ethically necessary when conducting research that involves direct intervention or interaction with individuals, especially when it involves vulnerable populations such as children. In option A, trying a new behavior modification technique on a hyperactive 5-year-old child directly involves the child in the research and potentially impacts their well-being, making informed consent from the child's guardian essential. Options B, C, and D involve observations of public behavior where individuals are not directly interacted with or identified, and thus, do not typically require informed consent.

In Which of the Following Studies Would It Be Ethically