Question 1

In which of the following areas is fraud considered to be most serious?

Accepted Answer

Fraud is considered most serious in science and journalism because these fields rely heavily on trust and integrity. Scientific fraud can lead to false knowledge and harm public health, while journalistic fraud can mislead the public and undermine democracy.

Question 2

Researches involving physical stress, psychological stress, invasion of privacy, measures of sensitive information where participants may be identified are known as _____ researches.

Accepted Answer

Research involving physical or psychological stress, invasion of privacy, or measures of sensitive information that could identify participants are considered greater than minimal risk. These types of research require additional oversight, such as review by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and informed consent from participants. Exempt, minimal risk, and low-risk research involve less potential harm to participants and are subject to fewer regulations.

Question 3

The fabrication of data is known as _____.

Accepted Answer

The fabrication of data refers to intentionally and falsely presenting research results. This is also known as research fraud or scientific misconduct.

Question 4

What is the function of an Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the function of an Institutional...

Question 5

In studying participants' physiological responses to visual stimuli, Kenneth measures the blood pressure and heart rates of the participants while they watch different genres of films. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulations, this study would best be classified as containing _____ risk.

Accepted Answer

The study involves only non-invasive physiological measurements that are typically used in routine medical checkups. Therefore, it poses minimal risk to participants according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services regulations.

Question 6

Which of the following is an example of a minimal risk research?

Accepted Answer

Recording routine physiological data from adult participants falls under minimal risk research because it involves minimal harm, and the risks associated with the research are not greater than those routinely encountered in daily life. Vigorous exercise, inducing stress, and manipulating behavior would all involve greater risk and therefore would not be examples of minimal risk research.

Question 7

One safeguard against scientific fraud is that:

Accepted Answer

Replication by other scientists is a crucial aspect of scientific research, as it provides an opportunity to verify the findings and detect any fraudulent results. Therefore, it is an effective safeguard against scientific fraud. Option A is not true as there have been instances of unethical behavior in the scientific community. Option B is not always possible as sometimes hypotheses are not supported by the data. Option D is also incorrect as external validity depends on the specific research design and context.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of fraudulence?

Accepted Answer

Fraudulence refers to the act of deception in order to gain some sort of benefit or advantage. Publishing articles without substantial authenticity is an example of fraudulence because it deceives readers into believing something that may not be true. The other answer choices involve illegal or unethical behavior, but not necessarily fraudulence.

Question 9

Sasha decides to examine public records of crime rates to determine whether perpetrators committed property crimes at an earlier age in the 1940s than in the 1970s. According to the U.S Department of Health and Human Services, Sasha's research would be categorized as a(n) _____ research.

Accepted Answer

Sasha's research involves analyzing public records, which does not involve direct interaction with human subjects or pose risks to their rights and welfare. Therefore, it is considered exempt from IRB review according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines.

Question 10

Which of the following precautions can scientists take to protect themselves against charges of fraud?

Accepted Answer

Keeping careful, documented records of the research is a key precaution scientists can take to protect themselves against charges of fraud. This ensures that any claims can be verified and that researchers can defend themselves against accusations of falsified data. A is not the best choice because significant results may still be fraudulent. B is not necessarily relevant to preventing fraud. D is not the best choice because scientists should realistically report their findings, even if they do not support their initial hypotheses.

Question 11

Which of the following is a characteristic of a no risk assessment research?

Accepted Answer

In a no risk assessment research, the surveys conducted are typically anonymous to protect the privacy of the participants. This is because the research does not involve any potential harm or risk to the participants, and therefore, the anonymity of the respondents is often sufficient to ensure their safety. The other options, such as not being exempt from review, requiring informed consent, or involving observations of sensitive behaviors, all suggest some level of risk or potential harm to the participants and would not characterize a no risk assessment research.

Question 12

Research studying normal educational practices, such as evaluating instructional techniques, is considered by HHS regulations to be a _____ research.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Research studying normal educational practices, such as...

Question 13

When Rebecca's students tried to include her research findings into their projects, they could not find materials that substantiated their tutor's data. In this case, Rebecca is most likely to have committed the act of _____.

Accepted Answer

Rebecca's students could not find materials to substantiate her data, suggesting that she may have fabricated her research findings. This act of presenting false information as true, especially in academic or professional contexts, is considered fraud. Plagiarism involves using someone else's work without giving proper credit, which doesn't directly relate to the inability to substantiate data. Assault and battery are related to physical harm, which is not relevant to the scenario described.

Question 14

Which of the following is true about research with nonhuman animal subjects?

Accepted Answer

There are explicit guidelines in place, such as the Animal Welfare Act and Institutional Animal Care and Use Committees, to protect animals used for research. These guidelines mandate that animals are treated humanely and their suffering is minimized.

Answer: C 
 This statement is false. Animals are often used to test the effects of drugs before they are tested on humans. This is done to ensure the safety and efficacy of drugs before they are given to people.

Answer: A and D 
 These statements are both false. Ethics are a major concern when conducting research with animals, and psychologists do conduct research on animals. It is important to use animals ethically and to ensure that research with animals is necessary and justified.

Question 15

What is one of the criticisms levelled against animal rights groups?

Accepted Answer

One of the criticisms levelled against animal rights groups is that animal research benefits humans and made discoveries possible. While animal rights groups argue against using animals for scientific research, scientists argue that animal research is necessary to develop new treatments and cures for human diseases.

Question 16

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, informed consent is necessary when research places participants at greater than _____ risk.

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is necessary when research places participants at greater than minimal risk, ensuring that participants are fully aware of the risks involved before agreeing to participate.

Question 17

Which of the following is true of greater than minimal risk research?

Accepted Answer

Greater than minimal risk research requires full IRB review and special ethical procedures may be imposed to ensure participant safety and protection.

Question 18

Which of the following is a genuine case of fraud?

Accepted Answer

The twin studies by Sir Cyril Burt were found to be fraudulent, as it was discovered that Burt had falsified data and made up participants. The other options are not examples of fraud.

Question 19

A researcher's results should be considered fraudulent if:

Accepted Answer

Falsifying data to support a hypothesis is a serious breach of research ethics and is considered fraudulent. Using animals in experiments, not debriefing participants, and using surveys are not necessarily fraudulent on their own, but they still require appropriate ethical considerations and procedures.

Question 20

What is most likely to have caused a decline in animal research?

Accepted Answer

Animal activist groups have been increasingly vocal and influential in advocating for the reduction of animal research, leading to stricter regulations and a decline in such research.

Quiz 3: Ethics in Behavioral Research