I am writing to you in regards to a dilemma I have encountered while studying
educational challenges. I am currently working with special needs students and I was
confronted by one of them who has severe learning difficulties. This student has
been demanding to be included in the research project with other members of the
class. It is important to note, her parents have already refused her participation in
this research project on her behalf, but the student is eighteen years old. As I have
looked over my APA Code of Conduct, I have found a few principles that I feel may
be at stake. The first one being, Principle D- Justice in the APA Code of Conduct
states, “Psychologists recognize that fairness and justice entitle all persons to
access to and benefit from the contributions of psychology and to equal quality in the
processes, procedures, and services being conducted by psychologists” (APA,
2017).- According to this principle, everyone has the right to be included in the
benefits of psychology. In this case, the student wants to be included in the study
which shows she believes this research project will benefit her in some way.
Furthermore, Principle E- respect for people’s rights and dignity is another principle I
find at stake. It states, “Psychologists respect the dignity and worth of all people, and
the rights of individuals to privacy, confidentiality, and self-determination.
Psychologists are aware that special safeguards may be necessary to protect the
rights and welfare of persons or communities whose vulnerabilities impair
autonomous decision making. Psychologists are aware of and respect cultural,
individual, and role differences, including those based on age, gender, gender
identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability,
language, and socioeconomic status, and consider these factors when working with
members of such groups” (APA, 2017). As well as in Section 3.01 of the APA Code
of Conduct, which states that “psychologists do not engage in unfair discrimination
based on age, gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, culture, national origin,
religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, or any basis proscribed
by law” (APA, 2017). For both Principle E and Section 3.01, there is a similarity
stated that disability and a respect for the rights and dignity of all people should be
taken into consideration. This includes this eighteen year old student regardless of
the parents choice in this matter. By not allowing her to participate, I believe would
be completely going against these two principles.
Lastly, another part of the APA Code of Conduct at stake is found in section 3.10
where it talks about informed consent. In regards to informed consent, a psychologist
who is conducting research is to obtain consent of those participating in the study
before the study actually begins (APA, 2017). In this situation, although the parents
have stated they do not wish for their daughter to be a participant in the study, she is
still considered of age to be able to consent for herself. Taking all of these principles
into consideration drawn from the APA Code of Conduct, we can conclude that the
student is of legal age and should not be discriminated against despite having
learning disabilities. I believe in order to be fair and ethical, this individual has the
right to be included in this study just as others in the class are being included.
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Best Regards,
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