Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Consider the following research situations. What is the ethical component in each example? How do you feel about it? Do you think the procedures described are ultimately acceptable or unacceptable? 1. A researcher studying dorm life on campus discovers that 60 percent of the residents regularly violate restrictions on alcohol consumption. Publication of the finding would probably create a furor in the campus community. Because no extensive analysis of alcohol use is planned, the researcher decides to keep his findings quiet. The ethical component in the case of the researcher who inadvertently discovered prohibited alcohol consumption among dorm residents is that he is privy to valuable information which directly affects the health of the population he is studying. This information may be key to the school administration’s success and to the individual students’ success. Further, there is the very real question of whether the researcher does have an obligation to share his findings, considering that the university and individual students had to consent to his presence and study. This obligation can be viewed in the context of morality as well as professionalism. While there are clear and compelling reasons to advocate for full disclosure, there are some arguments against it. First, the researcher is understandably concerned about upsetting community members. This could endanger his access to the community he wishes to study and jeopardize further research. Second, while the researcher is apparently concerned at the widespread policy violations, it is quite possible that the alcohol use, while technically inappropriate, falls well within the norms for this population in other schools as well. In other words, to the extent that social norms dictate acceptable use, the use on this campus may be a non-issue. Third, it is possible that disclosure could lead to demands from administrators to release the names of policy violators, which would cause a further conflict for the researcher. In the end however, the answer is clear that the sociologist has a responsibility, above all, to not only study, but to advocate for the well-being of the community. The overriding issue is not that a rule has been broken, or that feelings might be hurt, but that a large population of college students may be doing themselves harm through excessive alcohol consumption. If that is the case, the researcher is obligated to report. If that is not the case, no obligation exists. This decision is supported by the American Sociological Association, which states as part of general principle B “sociologists… do not knowingly make statements that are false, misleading or deceptive.” The code goes on to state that “sociologists… apply and make public their knowledge in order to contribute to the public good (ASA, 1999).” These dual principals mean that Pandora’s box should not be closed: what the researcher discovers, even by accident should be shared to benefit the college community, though while maintaining the individual confidentiality of students. Reference American Sociological Association. (1999). ASA code of ethics. Retrieved from the American Sociological Association website: http://www.asanet.org/about/ethics.cfm 2. A research questionnaire is circulated among students as part of their university registration packet. Although students are not told they must complete the questionnaire, the hope is that they will believe they must—thus ensuring a higher completion rate. The ethical component in regards to administrators slipping an optional questionnaire into a packet comprised of required materials for the critical process of registering to college is that of misrepresentation. By ensuring students fill out the questionnaire, administrators are using false pretenses for what they likely believe is the higher good. While this may seem like a clear cut example of Machiavellian manipulation (the ends justify the means), there are some critical considerations from the sociological perspective that should be employed to objectively weigh the acceptability of this choice. College students are, like most of the population, unlikely to do paperwork that does not directly benefit them either financially or academically. Obviously aware of this, the administrators have decided that the value of the research warrants mailing it. Research among this population can cover a range of important topics and it may well be worth exceptional efforts to collect responses. Further, the researchers may have concluded that the cost to the students is minimal; a study may take fifteen minutes or less to complete and is likely free to mail back, considering the rest of the registration packet must be submitted regardless. Indeed, it is quite likely that the research results will be used to directly benefit the college student population, in ways ranging from better procedures, better instruction, more tailored assistance, and any number of other possible improved outcomes. Despite the low cost of participation, the likely innocuous nature of the survey, and the positive intentions of the college administration and researchers, there are a number of compelling arguments against this method of hiding optional surveys among required paperwork. First, the students are unaware of the purpose for the research. Second, they have no opportunity to consent to the research: they are nearly compelled to complete the survey for fear of not properly registering. Third, there is no guarantee, or even discussion, of confidentiality. Fourth, administrators likely have access to the responses: there seems to be no known control on who has access to the documents. These concerns are dealt with in the ASA Code of Ethics’ general principles, including integrity and respect for people’s rights, as well as specific sections on conflicts of interests, public communications, confidentiality, or informed consent (ASA, 1999). For all of these reasons, it is essential that the administration provide a full disclosure of the nature, purpose and optionality of the research survey going forward. Reference American Sociological Association. (1999). ASA code of ethics. Retrieved from the American Sociological Association website: http://www.asanet.org/about/ethics.cfm