I think your second response would prove to be beneficial. Principle B: Fidelity
and Responsibility states psychologists must protect participants from
exploitation and harm (American Psychological Association, 2017). With that in
mind, I feel that allowing the individual to participate could cause a lot of
unwanted stress. The individual is probably only wanting to participate because
they see others taking part in the study. This individual may not understand
that the study has the potential to be stressful. Thus, explaining the study to
them may prove to be rather beneficial.
c c c c c c c c c There is also a biblical passage that may prove useful here as well.
James 4:17 reads, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and
doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” (New International Version, 1973/2011). Now,
do not think that I am saying that you are a sinner. I am trying to make the
point that you already knew the proper thing to do. You knew that it was not in
the individual’s best interest that they participate in the study. Then, you came
up with two very viable options to solve the issue at hand. c However, as I
previously stated, I think the best avenue would be to sit the person down and
address them face-to-face and explain why they should not participate in the
study.
Thank you for reaching out to me concerning the concerning involving
participants with learning difficulty. I understand your concern about involving
the individual since her parents have already denied her being in the research
study. You are correct that vulnerable individuals must be protected by law.
However, you must also take the APA Code 3.01 Unfair Discrimination into
consideration which prohibits, “unfair discrimination based on age, gender,
gender identity, race ethnicity, culture, natural origin, religion, sexual orientation,
disability, socioeconomic status, or any basis prescribed by law ("Ethical
Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct," n.d.).” This situation is
sensitive because the parents have stated they do no wish the individual to
participate but the individual is over 18. You stated that the participant will be
allowed to join the study but the parents can pull him/her out at any time.
Since the individual is 18 they cannot make a decision for him/her unless they
are his/her legal guardian. If they have legal guardianship then you must not
allow the individual to participate because the parents have already declined.
Thank you for expressing your concerns. Please reach out with any further
questions.
References
Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.apa.org/ethics/code/
United States. National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of
Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1978). The Belmont Report: Ethical
Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research.
