Discussion Question

Ethics in Research Design

The Discussion this week allows you to dialogue with others in the class on their interpretations and understanding of the ethical responsibilities of the researcher for the protection of human subject participants. Please use the following questions as a beginning point for a dialogue on ethical research:

• Based on your reading of the Belmont Report, your previous NIH Certification training and your textbook, what do you see as the most important ethical responsibilities of the educational researcher?
• Why are the principles of the Belmont Report necessary?
• What types of risk are important to consider in educational research?
• If a research project is poorly designed, could the risk to the participant outweigh the benefit?
• Why are some groups considered vulnerable populations, and what does it mean to be a vulnerable population in terms of research?

Now, apply what you have learned to your own educational research proposal.

• What ethical issues will you need to address when planning and conducting your proposed educational research study? Why do you think these are ethical issues?
• How will you demonstrate that all ethical standards will be followed in your study?