Question 1

Please read the May 15, 2006, article entitled "Research Fraud Is Harmless and Easy-Until It's Not" on the Institute for Global Ethics site at: http://www.globalethics.org/newsline/2006/05/15/ ​ What, if any, ethical standards does this commentary raise in terms of protecting human subjects? What did you think of the concluding statement, "Every researcher in every endeavor needs to remember that big lies start small and start easy"?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Please read the May 15, 2006, article...

Question 2

Only names, birthdates, and social security numbers are considered identifiable data.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Only names, birthdates, and social security numbers...

Question 3

Choose an ethical issue presented in this chapter, create a research situation where this issue could arise, and describe how you would handle it.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Choose an ethical issue presented in this...

Question 4

Ethical obligations to one's colleagues in the scientific community:

Accepted Answer

Ethical obligations to one's colleagues in the scientific community require full disclosure of any technical shortcomings or failures of the study. This is necessary for other researchers to have an accurate understanding of the findings and to avoid repeating mistakes or errors. Encouraging researchers to ignore negative findings, report only positive discoveries, or not report limitations is not ethical and can lead to incorrect conclusions and wasted resources. Encouraging researchers to describe their findings as the product of a carefully preplanned analytical strategy is important, but it should not overshadow the need for transparency about any limitations or shortcomings in the study.

Question 5

Weber called the lack of intrusion of the researcher's own political position on research:

Accepted Answer

Weber coined the concept of "value-free sociology" which means that the researcher should strive to remain impartial and unbiased in their research, avoiding personal values or political opinions that may affect the research outcomes.

Question 6

When names are removed from questionnaires and are replaced with identification numbers so that only the researcher can later link a response to a particular name, the researcher should tell the respondent that the information is:

Accepted Answer

When names are replaced with identification numbers, the information becomes confidential because only the researcher can link responses to particular names. Anonymous means that the data cannot be connected to any individual, which is not the case here. Therefore, option B is the best answer.

Question 7

Choose either Stanley Milgram's or Laud Humphreys' research and identify at least two ethical problems with the study you chose. What changes could the researcher have made to their work to avoid being unethical?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Choose either Stanley Milgram's or Laud Humphreys'...

Question 8

At the conclusion of his research project, Fred interviews his research subjects to discover whether they have problems because of their participation in the research project. Fred is engaged in the debriefing process.

Accepted Answer

The answer of At the conclusion of his research project,...

Question 9

Political issues tend to focus on substance and the use of research.

Accepted Answer

Political issues often involve rhetoric, emotional appeal, and strategic positioning, which can sometimes overshadow substantive discussion and research-based decision-making.

Question 10

Which of the following variables would be of the LEAST ethical concern to an IRB?

Accepted Answer

Subject's age is a commonly used demographic variable in research and is not considered sensitive or potentially harmful information. The other variables listed (sexual orientation, criminal history, drug use, and social security number) could potentially reveal personal information that could lead to stigmatization or discrimination, and therefore would require more ethical consideration by an IRB.

Question 11

Which of the following does NOT harm subjects?

Accepted Answer

Asking subjects to provide demographic information is generally considered harmless and is a common practice in research to gather background information without causing distress or harm to the participants.

Question 12

Social scientists agree that objectivity is necessary for research.

Accepted Answer

Objectivity is crucial for social science research as it helps eliminate biases and ensures that the findings and conclusions are based on facts and evidence rather than personal opinions or beliefs. Without objectivity, research results may be inaccurate or misleading.

Question 13

Which of the following statements is NOT found in the AAPOR Code of Professional Ethics and Practice?

Accepted Answer

The statement "We shall select research tools and methods of analysis because of their special capacity to yield a desired conclusion" goes against the principle of conducting research in an objective and unbiased manner, which is emphasized in the AAPOR Code of Professional Ethics and Practice.

Question 14

Choose a hypothetical research project of your own interest. Rather than focusing upon the ethical concerns before and during the research project, think of what could come after the research has been completed. Why would this be a potential issue? What would you do to avoid these problems?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Choose a hypothetical research project of your...

Question 15

Debriefing entails discussing any potential threats to the participants in research before they take part, during the informed consent process.

Accepted Answer

Debriefing occurs after the research has been conducted, not before.

Question 16

It is often as important to report that two variables are unrelated as to report that they are related.

Accepted Answer

The answer of It is often as important to report...

Question 17

Once people are told that their participation in a research study is voluntary, there are no ethical problems.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Once people are told that their participation...

Question 18

Which of the following techniques of data collection is MOST likely to make a guarantee of anonymity difficult?

Accepted Answer

Face-to-face interviews involve direct interaction between the researcher and participant, which can make it difficult to guarantee anonymity. The participant may feel pressure to give their name or reveal personal information in order to establish a rapport or because they don't want to appear rude by refusing to answer. Other techniques, such as mailed questionnaires or unobtrusive measures, allow for greater anonymity as the participant can remain anonymous without any direct interaction with the researcher. Secondary data analysis may or may not guarantee anonymity depending on the source of the data and how it was collected.

Question 19

The process of debriefing, in the context of research, serves to:

Accepted Answer

The process of debriefing involves interviewing subjects after their participation in a research project and discussing any potential deception used during the study. This allows subjects to understand the true nature of the study and provides an opportunity for them to ask questions or voice any concerns they may have. Debriefing is an important ethical component of research that helps to ensure the well-being of study participants.

Question 20

How is the conduct of social science research on sex and sexuality affected by politics? Give at least two examples.

Accepted Answer

The answer of How is the conduct of social science...

Quiz 3: The Ethics and Politics of Social Research