A randomized field experiment is designed to test the usefulness of a new DNA test for solving crimes. Crime clearance rates in police departments that use the new DNA test will be compared with crime clearance rates in police departments that use traditional DNA tests. The fact that some departments will not be using this new DNA test to solve crimes during the experiment may be ethically justifiable when ______.
A) citizens do not know about the new DNA test
B) there is no way of knowing whether the DNA test is of any value to solving crime
C) DNA tests have become affordable to police departments
D) the research is conducted in a high-crime area

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The ethical justification for not using the new DNA test in some departments hinges on the uncertainty of its value in solving crimes. If the effectiveness of the new test is unknown, withholding it for the purpose of a controlled experiment can be ethically justified to assess its utility.

A Randomized Field Experiment Is Designed to Test the Usefulness