Dear [senior research advisor],
I am a graduate student conducting research on the induction processes within a military training
environment. I am reaching out to you in regards to an ethical dilemma I am facing within my research
study. Upon my investigation, I have witnessed severe bullying of new military recruits through the process of
hazing. The bullying is both physically and emotionally detrimental to the personnel involved. It will affect
my findings if I was to interfere with the hazing, but I also believe it’s important for me to ensure that I’m not
facilitating harm per section 3.04(b) (Human Relations- Avoiding Harm) of the Ethical Principles of
Psychologists and Code of Conduct (American Psychological Association, 2022).
Because my research involves investigating the induction process of military training, it is pertinent that
I’m able to identify any bullying that may naturally occur. If I do not allow myself to identify this, then the
entire research study would become invalid. Nevertheless, as referenced, I do have an obligation to ensure
I’m not engaging in the intentional cruel and degrading behaviors that I have witnessed. I have weighed the
problems and benefits as to decide whether or not I should continue my research or stop the bullying. While
this is a difficult ethical dilemma, I believe that it is best that I continue with my study.
I am using a naturalistic approach to gather information and I am not mistreating anyone that I research.
With that said, I do believe I should offer therapeutic services to the new military recruits as outlined in
section 10.04 which covers ‘Providing Therapy to Those Served by Others (American Psychological
Association, 2022).’ I think it’s in the participants' best interest to receive therapeutic counseling from an
outside party. This will give them an opportunity to openly discuss what they have experienced. This could
also provide additional information as we will be able to take at look at the personal effects and viewpoints of
those who were involved.
One of the final pieces of my research will be to conduct a debriefing with both the leadership and new
recruits that I studied. This will give me an opportunity to better explain the intentions of my research, my
findings, and any professional suggestions that I may have. Debriefing is a crucial aspect to research as
stated in section 8.08 which outlines the debriefing process. Part of this is taking reasonable steps to
decrease the harm that I have become aware of in my study (American Psychological Association, 2022). My
overall professional opinion is that we need to continue the study to better identify and address the bullying
that occurs in the induction process of military training. This will allow me to make educated decisions on how
to best address it, and then to bring this information forward to everyone involved.
I appreciate your time, and hope that we can discuss whether or not you agree that it is feasible for me to
move forward with this scientific research.
Respectfully,
Jennifer Elliott
References
American Psychological Association. (2022). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. Retrieved
from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index
