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
d d d d d d d d d d 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).
d d d d d d d d d d 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
d d d d d d d d d d 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
d d d d d d d d d d 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.
