Ethical implications

Cards (11)

  • Socially sensitive research
    When a group and/or topic area studied have implications for society/certain groups in society. Potentially leading to a change in, or justification for, the way these groups are treated or perceived.
  • Sieber and Stanley (1988) identified 4 aspects in the scientific research process that raise ethical implications in SSR
    The research question
    The Methodology used
    The Institutional Context
    Interpretation and application of findings
  • Sieber and Stanley- The Research question

    The researcher must consider their research question carefully as certain questions may be damaging to a particular group. e.g "is intelligence inherited?"
  • Sieber and Stanley- The Methodology used

    The researcher needs to consider the treatment of the participants and their right to confidentiality and anonymity. e.g if someone admits to committing a crime, should the researcher maintain confidentiality?
  • Sieber and Stanley- The institutional context
    The researcher should be mindful of how the data is used and who is going to be funding the research. If it is being funded by a private organisation, why are they funding the research and how do they intend to use the findings?
  • Sieber and Stanley- interpretation and application of the findings

    The researcher needs to consider how their findings may be interpreted and applied to the real world. Could their results be used to inform policy?
  • Ethical implications in research/theory AO2
    Bowlby's research and the effects on child-rearing/working mothers diagnosis of depression, schizophrenia etc.
    Pressures mothers not to go to work and to stay home to look after their child.
  • Research into role of the father AO2
    Suggests that the fathers role was play, implicating that if they aren't playing they are not a good parent- causes guilt. Emphasises the quality of the father/mother relationship and could guilt parents into staying together.
  • Can socially sensitive research have benefits? AO3
    ID- One reason we should carry out SSR is that its desirable and can benefit society e.g research into EWT.
    Q- Eye witness identification can be the only evidence of guilt in order to convict a defendant before research of Loftus and Palmer.
    Ex- However, as a result of psychological research courts and juries are less impressed by EWT.
    An- SSR has shown memories of EWT can be distorted. Implication is that defendants shouldn't be found guilty based on EWT reducing the rise of miscarriages in justice.
  • Race related research
    ID- A reason we should conduct race related research is that researchers should be free to carry out whatever research seems important to them.
    Q- If there is a prohibition of research, there's a danger research can be stopped for political rather than ethical reasons.
    Ex- conducting ssr can help reduce prejudice against certain groups or issues.
    AN- therefore conducting ssr in certain groups can be positive.
  • AO3 against ssr
    ID- the findings can often be used in unacceptable waysID- the findings can often be used in unacceptable ways.
    Q- It could negatively impact participants.