Assignment 3: Ethics In Research In This Course

Assignment 3: Ethics in Research In this course, you will complete two

In this course, you will complete two research assignments (RAs) that collectively account for 50% of your total grade. The first assignment (RA 1) requires writing a reaction paper that evaluates the research methodologies used in a particular study. The second assignment (RA 2) involves developing a well-structured research question on a human services topic of your interest, supported by a comprehensive literature review. Throughout this course, it is essential to understand and apply the ethical standards set by the American Psychological Association (APA) when analyzing research studies and designing your own.

Additionally, you will incorporate insights from Nagy (2011) into your analysis; this includes examining ethical considerations related to a research study of your choice. To effectively complete these assignments, you are instructed to create a timeline for each task, outlining the steps you will take, the resources you will need, and your methods for gathering information.

Finally, you will select a relevant research study from the human services field using the Argosy University online library resources. You are to prepare a 2–3 page paper in APA style that includes a summary of the study’s purpose, methodology, participants, data collection and analysis procedures, and outcomes. You will also discuss how you would prepare yourself if unfamiliar with the research population, draft an informed consent form with eight essential elements, and analyze the study's contribution to human services and society.

Moreover, the paper should address whether the benefits of the research outweigh the risks, whether deception was used or could have been beneficial, and the role of Institutional Review Board (IRB) in overseeing research ethics, with specific reference to your selected study.

Paper For Above instruction

Ethical considerations are fundamental to conducting rigorous and responsible research in the human services field. This paper explores various aspects of research ethics, focusing on a selected study, and highlights practical steps researchers can take to uphold these standards. The discussion incorporates insights from Nagy (2011) to emphasize the importance of ethics in research design, data management, and publication practices.

Developing a Research Question and Timeline

The initial step involves formulating a clear and compelling research question to guide the literature review. This question should address a gap or a specific issue within human services, such as mental health intervention efficacy, homelessness prevention, or child welfare outcomes. To ensure timely completion, I will develop a detailed timeline broken into stages: selecting and narrowing the topic, conducting literature searches, synthesizing findings, and drafting the review. Each stage will be allocated specific deadlines, with resources including electronic academic databases (e.g., PsycINFO, ERIC), scholarly journals, and professional organizational websites. I will utilize techniques such as keyword searches, citation chaining, and note-taking to gather and organize relevant literature efficiently.

Selection and Analysis of a Human Services Research Study

Using the Argosy University online library, I selected a peer-reviewed article examining the impact of a community-based mental health program on reducing depressive symptoms among adolescents. The study’s purpose was to evaluate program effectiveness, utilizing a mixed-methods approach. Participants included adolescents aged 13-18 from diverse backgrounds; data collection involved standardized questionnaires, interviews, and behavioral assessments, with analysis employing statistical tests and thematic coding.

If unfamiliar with the population, I would undertake preparatory steps such as reviewing existing literature to understand cultural, psychological, and social factors; consulting with community leaders or experts; and obtaining cultural competence training. These measures would help me design culturally sensitive research protocols and build trust with participants.

In constructing an informed consent form, I would include eight core elements: (1) statement of research purpose, (2) description of procedures, (3) risks and benefits, (4) confidentiality assurances, (5) voluntary participation statement, (6) description of withdrawal rights, (7) contact information for questions or concerns, and (8) signature lines for consent. Each element ensures transparency and respects participants’ autonomy.

This research advances human services by providing evidence on effective community interventions, informing best practices, and guiding policy development. The societal benefits include improved mental health outcomes and enhanced community resilience. While risks such as privacy breaches or emotional discomfort may exist, these are mitigated by ethical safeguards, and the benefits generally outweigh potential harms.

In this study, no deception was used; however, if deception had been considered necessary, it would require careful justification and debriefing to minimize harm. The IRB’s role is to review and approve research protocols to ensure adherence to ethical standards, including participant protections and risk minimization. IRB oversight ensures that research aligns with ethical principles outlined in Nagy (2011), fostering responsible conduct in human research.

References

• Nagy, T. F. (2011). Ethics in research and publication. In Essential ethics in psychology: A primer for understanding and mastering core issues (pp. 199–216). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.
• Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches. Sage publications.
• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of psychologists and code of conduct. APA.
• Fisher, C. B. (2013). Decoding the ethics code: A practical guide for psychologists. Sage.
• Yin, R. K. (2018). Case study research and applications: Design and methods. Sage publications.
• Pratt, C., & Lounsbury, M. (2017). Community-based approaches to mental health: Evidence and strategies. Journal of Community Psychology, 45(3), 324-341.
• World Health Organization. (2013). Community mental health approach: Framework and guidelines. WHO Publications.
• Groves, R. M. (2011). Survey methodology. Wiley.
• Resnik, D. B. (2015). What is ethics in research & why is it important. National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.
• Babbie, E. (2010). The practice of social research. Cengage Learning.