Question 1

Internet research that makes use of existing chat rooms, forums and communities, and e-mail groups:

Accepted Answer

Internet research involving chat rooms, forums, and e-mail groups raises unique ethical concerns, such as privacy, consent, and anonymity, which are not always adequately addressed by traditional ethical guidelines.

Question 2

Which of the following statements is true about the guidelines developed by the Association of Internet Researchers (AoIR) to address key ethical issues posed by Internet research?

Accepted Answer

The AoIR guidelines are designed to be flexible and adaptable, addressing ethical issues based on the specific context and needs of individual research studies rather than imposing rigid, top-down principles.

Question 3

Materials that people post on social media, such as Facebook or Twitter, _____.

Accepted Answer

Social media postings may include content from third parties, which complicates the issue of informed consent, as these individuals may not have agreed to participate in research.

Question 4

_____ means that you explain the methods used in a study to the participants, including any deception.

Accepted Answer

Debriefing is the process of explaining the methods and purpose of the study to participants, including any deception that was used, after the study is completed.

Question 5

"Dehoaxing" means that you:

Accepted Answer

Dehoaxing involves explaining the necessity of any deception used in a study and addressing any potential negative effects on participants.

Question 6

While evaluating the chat room participants' responses to being part of a research study, James Hudson and Amy Bruckman (2004) found that they were more likely to be kicked out of a chat room when _____.

Accepted Answer

Participants were more likely to be kicked out when they identified themselves as researchers, as this could make other members uncomfortable or wary of being observed or studied.

Question 7

According to Pittenger (2003), the Internet can be considered equivalent to a public place like a shopping mall because:

Accepted Answer

Pittenger (2003) argues that the Internet is like a public place because it is widely used and public forums do not require informed consent for research, provided there is no harm to participants.

Question 8

Which of the following statements is true about an institutional review board (IRB)?

Accepted Answer

An IRB is crucial because it provides an independent review of research to ensure ethical standards are met, protecting researchers, participants, and institutions from potential harm and liability.

Question 9

Proposals for research using animal subjects must be reviewed and approved by:

Accepted Answer

Research involving animal subjects must be reviewed and approved by an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), which ensures ethical and humane treatment of animals in research.

Question 10

According to the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (National Research Council, 2011), an institutional animal care and use committee (IACUC) membership should include:

Accepted Answer

The IACUC must include a veterinarian, a practicing scientist, and a non-scientist to ensure diverse perspectives in animal care and use oversight.

Question 11

Fraud in research:

Accepted Answer

Fraud in research can undermine trust in scientific findings, negatively impact health and well-being, and affect all research fields.

Question 12

_____ defines three categories of research misconduct, which are data fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

Accepted Answer

The Office of Research Integrity (ORI) defines research misconduct as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism in proposing, performing, or reviewing research, or in reporting research results.

Question 13

The most harmful, but rare, form of research fraud is:

Accepted Answer

Outright fabrication of data is the most harmful form of research fraud because it involves creating false data, which can lead to incorrect scientific conclusions and potentially harmful real-world applications.

Question 14

Bell (1992) suggested that exactly quantifying research fraud may be difficult because:

Accepted Answer

Bell (1992) highlighted that both the reluctance to report suspected fraud and the severe consequences of whistleblowing contribute to the difficulty in quantifying research fraud.

Question 15

You detect some research fraud in your laboratory. You decide to "blow the whistle" and turn the offender in. You will most likely be:

Accepted Answer

Whistleblowers often face backlash and retaliation, including damage to their reputation and credibility, rather than being rewarded or respected.

Question 16

Motivation to commit fraud in research may stem from the _____.

Accepted Answer

All the options listed are potential motivations for committing fraud in research, as they all relate to the pressures and incentives in the academic and research environment.

Question 17

The best way to deal with research fraud is to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The best way to deal with research...

Question 18

Which of the following statements is true about the U.S. Office of Research Integrity (ORI)?

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Office of Research Integrity (ORI) emphasizes the protection of whistleblowers from retaliation, aligning with U.S. law to ensure ethical conduct in research.

Question 19

Current research practice requires that researchers obtain informed consent from human participants.

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is a fundamental ethical requirement in research involving human participants, ensuring that they are fully aware of the study's nature, risks, and benefits before agreeing to participate.

Question 20

As a researcher, you must present your research protocol for review of ethical issues before you conduct your research.

Accepted Answer

Research protocols must be reviewed by an ethics committee to ensure the protection of participants and adherence to ethical standards before the research begins.

Quiz 7: Understanding Ethical Issues in the Research Process