Ethical Dilemma in Research –
Replies. Then, you must respond to two other students’ letters as if you were their re
search advisor. Make sure you identify what you feel is the best course of action, justi
fying it with at least one citation, followed by a Reference section.
For each reply, respond as if you were the research advisor for the graduate student
seeking advice. Make sure to include all the following components:
Did the graduate student adequately justify two ethically viable responses to t
he dilemma? If not, what is missing?
Select the solution you feel is the best response (it can be one of the propose
d solutions or you can come up with your own)
Discussion 1
Dear Ms. Research Advisor,
My name is Michaela Fox, and I am one of your research advisees. I have be
en faced with a dilemma and am seeking your professional opinion and guida
nce in the matter. I have been actively researching induction processes as th
e Marines have been training within their new compound. I have learned an a
bundance of information throughout my short residency. I have come to many
conclusions throughout my stay however I regret to inform you not all have b
een positive observations. As noted, I seek your assistance with an issue I ha
ve encountered.
I have witnessed what appears as extreme harassment or bullying of a recruit. The vi
ctim is 18 years of age and fresh out of high school. It seems the perpetrators are mi
ddle aged and are seen as superiors to the new recruits. This was not an isolated inci
dent for I have noticed this unwanted behavior on several accounts. However, the ind
ividuals seem to only be targeting this one recruit. Nonetheless, if I interfere, this may
jeopardize the integrity and data collection of my research. Subsequently I am propo
sing two options to resolve the crisis with your guidance of course.
First, I am wondering if I may speak with the two staff members’ supervisor so that I a
m not in direct communication with the individuals. This will allow my separation from
the issue, which in turn will prevent damage to the integrity of my research. As the pri
nciple of Beneficence and Nonmaleficence notes, “When conflicts occur…they attem
pt to resolve these conflicts in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm” (
APA Code of Conduct, 2017). To bring this to their attention would constitute as the e
thical standard 1.05 Reporting Ethical Violations. To witness bullying in such a nature
would be considered unethical if not acted upon. As the standard notes, “If an appar
ent ethical violation has substantially harmed…psychologists take further action appr
opriate to the situation” (APA Code of Conduct, 2017).
My second recommendation would be to separate the recruit from the two staff mem
bers inflicting the bullying and/or harassment. My research can continue to occur whil
e the supervisor investigates the situation and places the recruit in an alternate locati
on. As I am not in charge of the staff members, this leads me to seek other means, i.
e., their supervisor. As the Principle of Justice states, I will “exercise reasonable judg
ement and take precautions to ensure…the limitations of their expertise do not lead t
o or condone unjust practices” (APA Code of Conduct, 2017). I must also look at the
harm this potentially could cause if not acted upon. Even as a bystander, I must purs
ue the principle of avoiding harm as 3.04 declares. This would entail taking “reasona
ble steps to avoid harming their clients/patients, students, supervisees, research parti
cipants…and to minimize harm where it is foreseeable and unavoidable” APA Code o
f Conduct, 2017).
If you could be so kind and provide me with your recommendations, I would greatly a
ppreciate the assistance.
Kindly,
Michaela Fox
Reference
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and c
ode of conduct.
Discussion 2
Dear Dr. Lewis,
I am writing to you regarding an ethical dilemma for a research study that I wo
uld like to conduct. I have determined a couple of solutions and I would appreciate a
ny feedback you can provide.
I would like to investigate employer hiring practices with a focus on race, howe
ver, I worry that unless I disguise the true focus of the study, participants will not act i
n their natural behaviors. I have come up with the following two solutions for conside
ration:
The first solution I propose is to issue an anonymous questionnaire asking participant
s questions that they may feel uncomfortable being honest about if someone knew th
eir identity. Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity, in the APA Code of
Conduct states that we must respects individuals’ rights to privacy, confidentiality, an
d self-
determination (American Psychological Association, 2017). By conducting an anony
mous questionnaire, I eliminate the fear of any retaliation that may occur due to their
responses and respect the individual’s right to privacy and confidentiality. Because t
he questionnaire will be anonymous, ethical standard 8.05 –
Dispensing with Informed Consent for Research, states that researchers can dispen
se with informed consent under certain conditions, one of which is an anonymous qu
estionnaire, therefore, I will also be eliminating the need for informed consent (Ameri
can Psychological Association, 2017).
The second solution I propose is, when asking for written consent, I explain the study
in the following manner: “This study will conduct current hiring practices that may or
may not take into consideration the following areas of focus: sex, gender, race, degre
e of education, sexuality, age, or social status.” Principle C: Integrity, in the APA Cod
e of Conduct states that, as researchers, we must promote accuracy, honesty and tru
thfulness in our teachings and practices of psychology (American Psychological Asso
ciation, 2017). With stating all possible intentions of the study, including examining r
ace as a possible area of focus, we are remaining honest and truthful. If I am honest
and truthful behind the intentions of the study and explain the steps in a way that indi
viduals can understand, then I can gather consent. Ethical standard 8.02 –
Informed Consent to Research states that when obtaining informed consent, researc
hers must explain certain things, including but not limited to, (1) the right to decline p
articipation, (2) any foreseeable adverse effects, and (3) the limits of confidentiality (A
merican Psychological Association, 2017). If the individual then chooses to consent
and participate in the study, I can feel confident that I’ve given all the necessary and r
equired information for the individual to make an informed decision.
Thank you for taking the time to understand my dilemma and guide me to the best so
lution that benefits both the participant and the research. All thoughts and feedback
are welcomed.
Sincerely,
1. Kyla Montes
2. References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologist and C
ode of Conduct. https://apa org.ezproxy.liberty.edu/ethics/code/index?_ga=2.152712
313.1735572461.1667764313-266737649.1666540541
1
Ethical Issues in Research Responses
Discussion 1
I am incredibly satisfied with the responses that the graduate student has provided
with regard to the ethical issue. From the beginning, the student appreciates that while they
are concerned about the bullying that the recruit is undergoing, they do not want to interfere
directly because they stand the risk of jeopardizing the course of the research investigation.
The graduate student has identified two responses to the dilemma. Firstly, the student
suggests speaking to the supervisor of then staff members who are involved in the bullying.
According to the student, engaging the supervisor will make sure that they are not directly
involved in the issue and therefore protect the integrity of the investigation. The student cites
the need to involve the official as arising from the principles of beneficence and none-
maleficence which dictate that “When conflicts occur…they attempt to resolve these conflicts
in a responsible fashion that avoids or minimizes harm” (APA Code of Conduct, 2017). The
second solution that the student offers is to separate the recruit from the staff members who
are carrying out the bullying. The student suggests that this action will immediately prevent
further harm to the recruit, but the student fails to address the fact that the action may have an
adverse effect on the course of the research.
When I closely look at the two solutions that the student offers, I think the first
solution is more reasonable and solution. The solution suggests taking up the matter with the
supervisors of the two staff members. I think this approach will not only end the bullying
practice at the moment but it will also necessitate institutional changes that will end the
practice in the long run. Most importantly, the solution will preserve the integrity of the
research.
2
References
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of
conduct.
Discussion 2
The student would like to investigate an employer hiring process with regard to race.
However, the student avers that unless they disguise the true nature and objective of the
study, the respondents may not behave normally and this may in return have adverse effects
on the outcome of the study. In response to this dilemma, the student proposes two solutions.
The first solution that the student is to develop and administer an anonymous questionnaire to
the respondents. The student indicates that the use of an anonymous questionnaire will make
sure that the respondents do not have a feeling that their identities may be revealed and as a
result used in a way that may cause harm to them. The second solution that the student offers
is to provide detailed information to the respondents so as to enable them to make informed
choices. The student seeks to explain that “This study will conduct current hiring practices
that may or may not take into consideration the following areas of focus: sex, gender, race,
degree of education, sexuality, age, or social status.” Based on this information, the
respondents will make informed choices on their participation in the study.
I think the most suitable approach to do is to seek informed consent by proving as
much as possible to the respondents to make appropriate decisions. Informed consent is
capable of leading to a more objective study where the participants decide to provide
information that they believe is accurate and devoid of any personal bias.
3
Reference
Chen, C., Lee, P. I., Pain, K. J., Delgado, D., Cole, C. L., & Campion Jr, T. R. (2020).
Replacing paper informed consent with electronic informed consent for research in
academic medical centers: a scoping review. AMIA Summits on Translational Science
Proceedings, 2020, 80.
