Graduate Research Advisor
2850 Red Hill Ave #2
Santa Ana, California (CA), 92702
!
Dear Sir,
RE: ADDRESSING AN ETHICAL DILEMMA IN SCENARIO B ON THE
STUDY OF EDUCATIONAL CHALLENGES
An understanding and appreciation of the professional ethical code allow
researchers to carefully weigh the pros and cons of their actions and
prevent them from reaching unprofessional decisions (Alderson & Morrow,
2020). An example of the scenarios that raise ethical issues and demand
an appropriate code of conduct is the one I encountered when studying
education challenges faced when working with special needs children.
Specifically, I was confronted by a young adult with severe learning
difficulties who asked me to include her in the research project and other
class members. However, her parents had already refused her inclusion.
Such a scenario raises an ethical dilemma, which should be appropriately
addressed. The APA Code of Ethic’s principles and standards provide vital
guidelines on how to respond to the scenario presented.
One way of ethically handling such a scenario is by refusing to include the
student and providing an appropriate explanation. I would explain that her
parents have refused to consent; thus, I cannot act against the law.
However, the APA Code of Conduct Principle 3, respect for people’s rights
and dignity, is most at stake in such a response. (APA, 2003). The
rationale for citing such a principle is that by disallowing the student’s
participation, I would be trampling upon her right to contribute to research
and denying her an opportunity to air her views. Ideally, according to the
APA Code of Conduct, 3.10 (b) Informed Consent, researchers are required
to provide an appropriate explanation for a person who is legally
incapable of giving informed consent (APA, 2003). Therefore, explaining
why she will be left out will be an appropriate ethical action.
The ethical dilemma may also be appropriately addressed by considering
the student’s preferences and best interests and talking to her parents to
obtain the necessary assent to participate in the study. In such a case, the
principle of informed consent in the APA Code of Conduct will be at stake.
Researchers are always required to obtain informed consent, which
involves explaining the reasons for their research, any possible risks, and
the freedom to withdraw from the study (Cherry, 2020). Because the
students’ parents are better positioned to understand their children, the
principle of informed consent would be at risk of being compromised.
Nevertheless, the choice of such a resolution to the ethical dilemma is
supported by 8.02 Informed Consent to Research, which requires
researchers to obtain informed consent (APA, 2003). Before obtaining
such consent, they should explain the research’s purpose, duration,
procedures, and potential risks.
Kindly consider and review the two proposed ways to handle the ethical
scenario presented. Please note that the ethical principles and standards
were used to determine the best course of action without breaching any
ethical and professional codes of conduct. The two recommended actions
will be instrumental in ensuring that I respect the student’s interests and
rights while also preventing any faulting of the APA Code of Conduct. Your
advice and suggestion on the viability and appropriateness of the
suggested responses to the ethical scenario will be highly appreciated.
!
Sincerely,
!
Lacy L Luper, MS, PCAT
!
References
Alderson, P., & Morrow, V. (2020).!The ethics of research with children and
young people: A practical handbook. Sage. ISBN-13: 978-0857021373.
APA. (2003). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of
Conduct.!https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index
Cherry, K. (2020). APA Ethics Code Principles and Standards.!Very Well
Mind.!https://www.verywellmind.com/apa-ethical-code-guidelines-4687465
