To.
Arthur B. Johnson, Ph. D. Psychology, M.A.S.
Psychology Department
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia.
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). b b 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. b 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
References
American Psychological Association. (2016). Ethical Principles of Psychologist and
Code of Conduct. American Psychologists, 71,900.
