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). c c 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. c 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.
