Chapter 3, Problem 1RQE

Summary Introduction

Introduction:

A. The instructor is using a convenience sample, and his/her power over the students is to imply that they must fill out his survey. This is not an appropriate way to gather data for publication.

B. The researcher does not have a therapist-client relationship to protect, so it is legal to comply with the demands of the police. The police are within their rights to collect this information in order to enforce the law.

C. If the author determines that all the other interviews were not falsified, and leaves out the findings of those 25, it would be permissible to publish, as long as the difficulty is mentioned somewhere in the book along with the results.

D. Research cannot be done by deceiving the subjects. This is an ethical violation.

E. The professor may not lie to subjects in order to complete an experiment, and grades should not be falsely lowered to produce the desired effect.

F. Questions written in a leading manner, such as this one, will produce flawed results. This is not acceptable.

G. Since alcohol consumption is dangerous in many ways, the researcher is obligated to publish the findings so that the college may address this trend to reduce the risks faced by students.

H. This study is focused on saving face, but sets up a situation in which people will lose face when the deception is revealed. This is not acceptable as subjects should not be misled.

I. There is a power differential between students and administration, so many students will infer that they must complete the survey. This is not overt deceit, but taking advantage of behavior tendencies related to students’ perceived obligations. As long as no one is punished for not filling out the survey, and no one is rewarded, it is permissible.

J. An official who infiltrates a group should not take part in illegal activity, and should tip off the authorities about planned violence, if they are unable to dissuade the group from committing these crimes.

Explanation of Solution

Answer and explanation:

(This question requires a subjective response, this is an example.)

A. This is not an appropriate way to gather data for publication because the instructor is using a convenience sample, and his/her power over the students to imply that they must fill out this survey. Students cannot be compelled to participate in research because this violates the ethical requirement that participation be voluntary. It also precludes the participants’ right to withdraw from research at any time for any (or no) reason.

B. The police are within their rights to collect this information in order to enforce the law, since the researcher cannot claim therapist-client privacy, it is ethical to comply with the demands of the police.

C. It would be permissible to publish, as long as the difficulty is mentioned somewhere in the book along with the results, and the author could show that all the other interviews were not falsified, nor affected the outcome of the study. Otherwise, the study must be redone.

D. It is an ethical violation to deceive subjects of a study.

E. The professor should not lower grades or berate students under false pretenses just to study their reactions. This is another example of deceiving subjects.

F. Leading questions bias results. This is not acceptable because the researcher is attempting to get people to admit they masturbate.

G. Colleges try to limit dangers faced by students, and pervasive flouting of drinking rules presents clear and present danger, therefore the researcher must publish.

H. This is not acceptable as subjects should not be misled or be made to feel shame or other psychological harm. This study is focused on saving face, but sets up a situation in which people will lose face when the deception is revealed.

I. This is not overt deceit, but taking advantage of behavior tendencies related to students’ perceived obligations because there is a power differential between students and administration, so many students will infer that they must complete the survey. As long as no one is punished for not filling out the survey, and no one is rewarded, it is permissible.

J. A researcher must not be a party to any violent or illegal activity, so he or she should try to talk the group out of the bombing and assassination, or report them to the police. Peaceful demonstrations are not threatening, and it would be okay for the researcher to take part in that.