Dear [senior research advisor],
c c c c I am a graduate student conducting research on the induction processes within a military training
environment. c I am reaching out to you in regards to an ethical dilemma I am facing within my research
study. c Upon my investigation, I have witnessed severe bullying of new military recruits through the process
of hazing. c The bullying is both physically and emotionally detrimental to the personnel involved. c 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).
c c c c 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. c I have weighed the
problems and benefits as to decide whether or not I should continue my research or stop the bullying. c While
this is a difficult ethical dilemma, I believe that it is best that I continue with my study.
c c c c I am using a naturalistic approach to gather information and I am not mistreating anyone that I research. c
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).’ c I think it’s in the participants' best interest to receive therapeutic counseling from an
outside party. c This will give them an opportunity to openly discuss what they have experienced. c 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.
c c c c One of the final pieces of my research will be to conduct a debriefing with both the leadership and new
recruits that I studied. c This will give me an opportunity to better explain the intentions of my research, my
findings, and any professional suggestions that I may have. c Debriefing is a crucial aspect to research as
stated in section 8.08 which outlines the debriefing process. c Part of this is taking reasonable steps to
decrease the harm that I have become aware of in my study (American Psychological Association, 2022). c 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. c 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
c c c c c c c c c c
References
American Psychological Association. (2022). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/index
