Assignment 1: Ethical Issues (Case Studies) This Module Taug

Assignment 1: Ethical Issues (Case Studies) This module taught you about ethical and political issues of applied research and discussed the components of good and unsuccessful proposals

This assignment involves analyzing specific ethical issues presented in four case scenarios related to research ethics. The task requires selecting one case, defining research ethics, discussing the ethical issues involved, potential pitfalls if unaddressed, and proposing how to handle the situation as a supervisor or research leader. The response should be at least 300 words, include scholarly sources cited in APA format, and provide a comprehensive analysis grounded in professional literature.

Paper For Above instruction

Research ethics encompass the principles and standards that guide the conduct of scientific research, ensuring integrity, honesty, transparency, and respect for all participants and stakeholders involved (Resnik, 2018). Ethical research practices protect the rights and well-being of research subjects, uphold the credibility of results, and foster public trust in scientific inquiry. When ethical standards are compromised, the validity and societal value of research are jeopardized, and researchers risk legal sanctions, loss of reputation, or harm to participants.

Focusing on the selected case—Case 1 involving Roger Thompson—the core ethical issues revolve around confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural sensitivity. Thompson's accidental discovery of sensitive notes containing the shaman’s private recounting raises concern about confidentiality breaches. He had previously promised the shaman confidentiality, and disclosing this myth could breach trust, violate moral obligations, and potentially harm the community’s social dynamics. An essential ethical principle here is respect for persons, which includes honoring the confidentiality agreements made with research participants (Belmont Report, 1979). Ignoring this duty risks societal harm, damages researcher credibility, and could lead to mistrust between researchers and indigenous communities.

If these ethical issues are not addressed, adverse consequences include loss of community trust, possible legal repercussions, and the deterioration of the researcher’s reputation. Moreover, violating confidentiality might cause psychological or social harm to the community involved, undermining future research efforts and perpetuating unethical practices. Failure to respect cultural sensitivities related to indigenous knowledge can also contribute to cultural insensitivity and exploitation.

As a research supervisor or ethics officer, I would advise Thompson to first acknowledge the confidentiality breach and seek guidance from the community and institutional review board (IRB). He should secure explicit permission from the shaman or community leaders before sharing the myth publicly. If permission is not granted, Thompson must respect the confidentiality and refrain from including the myth in the publication. Additionally, I would recommend developing clear ethical protocols for handling sensitive data during fieldwork, emphasizing the importance of researcher accountability, cultural respect, and participant rights. This proactive approach safeguards participant trust, upholds ethical standards, and maintains research integrity (Resnik, 2018).

In conclusion, maintaining research ethics requires adherence to confidentiality, informed consent, and cultural respect, especially when working with vulnerable or indigenous populations. Addressing ethical dilemmas proactively prevents detrimental outcomes and fosters responsible research conduct, contributing to the integrity and societal relevance of scientific inquiry.

References

• Belmont Report. (1979). Ethical principles and guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research. The National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research.
• Resnik, D. B. (2018). Research ethics: A philosophical guide to the responsible conduct of research. Routledge.
• Resnik, D. B. (2015). What is ethics in research & why is it important? National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://www.niehs.nih.gov/research/resources/bioethics/whatis/index.cfm
• Resnik, D. B. (2020). The ethics of research with human subjects. Environmental Health Perspectives, 128(9), 095001.
• Sandel, M. J. (2010). Justice: What's the right thing to do? Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Hector, D. (2019). Cultural sensitivity and research ethics. Journal of Cultural Diversity, 26(4), 124–130.
• Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. Psychology Press.
• Israel, M., & Hay, I. (2006). Research ethics for social scientists. SAGE Publications.
• Swazey, J. P., Anderson, M. S., & Louis, K. S. (1997). The ethical challenges of broad consent. Accountability in Research, 4(4), 199–218.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of biomedical ethics. Oxford University Press.