To.
Arthur B. Johnson, Ph. D. Psychology, M.A.S.
Psychology Department
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia.
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Dear Professor Johnson
Subject: Advice about Ethical Dilemma.
I am writing to you in need of your advice with an ethical dilemma I have
encountered in my research. I am a graduate student currently conducting research
at a military base where I have witnessed a case of extreme bullying of a recruit by
two of his/her supervisors. I am not sure what to do because if I say anything to
anyone then this could jeopardize my research, however I feel bound by the General
Principles of the APA (American Psychological Association, 2016). There is also the
risk if I report my findings to others then it could bring civil and financial harm to the
parties involved which is not in adhering to 3.04 Avoiding Harm (American
Psychological Association, 2016). Should I just finish my research and document all I
have witnessed and made audio recordings of because I did obtain informed consent
under 8.02 Informed Consent to Research and 8.03 Informed Consent for Record
Voices and Images in Research (American Psychological Association, 2016). !!The
names of the participants and location of the base would remain anonymous. I do
not want to be in violation of Principal A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence of the
Ethics Principles of the APA (American Psychological Association, 2016) in which
Psychologists must endeavor to do no harm and minimize risks could be violated by
not reporting the event and the bullying could turn into physical violence if it is
allowed to continue. !I could also discontinue my research to uphold Principal B:
Fidelity and Responsibility (American Psychological Association, 2016) because of
the professional and scientific obligations I have to society and my community as
well. In either choice that I choose I must follow Code of Conduct 8.10 Reporting
Research Results (American Psychological Association, 2016) no matter how I feel
personally about the data I obtained. If you feel that this research project has too
many risks to all parties involved and that is prudent to discontinue the project, then I
will. Should I still report my findings, or should all my data be stored or even
destroyed? My research could actually bring light to a situation that could be
occurring at other military bases as well and garner the necessary attention for a
needed change. I appreciate your time and assistance with this matter.
V/R
Julie Eversole
Graduate Student
Liberty University
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References
American Psychological Association. (2016). Ethical Principles of Psychologist and
Code of Conduct.!American Psychologists, 71,900.
