My name is Yvonne Wright, and I have been challenged with an ethical
dilemma that I would like to bring to your attention. I am embarking on a study
at a local high school, which involves students with special needs and their
educational challenges. While taking a break from the research study, a student
with severe learning complications approached me and was very adamant about
being a part of the study. She expressed that she wanted to participate in the
study with her classmates. Even though she is 18 years old, her parents have
already decided that she cannot participate.
Ethically Feasible Response One
c c c c c While the student is 18 years old and in total agreement with
participating in the study, she is also incapable of making independent decisions
on her behalf. As previously stated, her parents would not allow her to
participate in the study. Participating in this study may prove beneficial for the
student, but I must comply with all the codes of ethics in the psychology
discipline. Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence state that I am required
protect the participants I work with to ensure no harm comes to them (American
Psychological Association (APA), 2017).
c c c c c Even though I desire to have this student participate in the study,
her parents are aware of her life circumstances, whereas I am not. For
example, as aforementioned, she has severe learning complications, and the
study may cause her to react in a manner that may not be beneficial. Involving
her in the research may affect her life negatively trajectory, causing her harm.
In research, harm should be avoided or, at best, minimized. Standard 3.04
Avoiding harm states that while I am working with participants, it is my
responsibility to ensure no harm (APA, 2017). My goal is to help students with
special needs by studying their educational challenges, which may benefit this
population in the future, with harm avoided as much as possible (APA, 2017).
Ethically Feasible Response Two
c c c c c Another situation regarding this dilemma is informed consent.
Standard 3.10 Informed Consent states that after I have spoken to the student
and informed her of the study, informed consent must be received from a
person or persons authorized to make decisions on behalf of the student or
participant (APA, 2017). Although the student is 18 years old and considered an
adult, she cannot make life decisions herself, as aforementioned. While adults
should make their own decisions, not all are capable, as stated in Principle E:
Respect for People's Rights and Dignity (APA), 2017). Everyone should have
their rights respected and protected, but if an individual is incapable of making
decisions, the decision must be made on their behalf (APA, 2017). For example,
the student in our study is 18 years old, as aforementioned, and her parents
must make decisions on her behalf. My responsibility is to make sure that I
listen to the student's desires and adequately explain why she cannot participate
in the study. Maybe shortly, her parents may think differently, but I cannot allow
her to participate in the study until this happens (APA, 2017).
Conclusion
c c c c c c The study's goal that I am currently involved in is to benefit the
special needs student population by finding ways to strengthen the educational
challenges that they are now facing. The need for participants may be
significant in research but obtaining participants by adhering to the APA Ethical
Code of Conduct is imperative to my profession and those I serve (APA, 2017).
I want to handle this situation appropriately. Therefore, your feedback is greatly
needed and appreciated.
