Discuss The Ethical Implications Of Conducting A Study In Wh

Discuss The Ethical Implications Of Conducting A Study In Which Univer

Discuss the ethical implications of conducting a study in which university students are randomly assigned to two groups, one of which is kept awake all night before being given an accounting text and the other is allowed to sleep as long as they like before taking the same test, particularly with respect to the Saint Leo Core Values of Excellence, Integrity, and Responsible Stewardship.

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical considerations of conducting a study involving university students assigned to different sleep conditions before an academic test raise significant concerns rooted in the core values of Saint Leo University: excellence, integrity, and responsible stewardship. These values serve as essential guidelines for maintaining ethical standards in research, ensuring that the rights, well-being, and dignity of participants are safeguarded while pursuing academic and scientific excellence.

Firstly, the principle of integrity requires researchers to uphold honesty, transparency, and respect in their conduct (Beauchamp & Childress, 2013). In this context, intentionally depriving students of sleep as part of an experiment may compromise their well-being and could be deemed unethical if not properly justified and managed. Deprivation of sleep can have adverse physical and psychological effects, including increased stress, impaired cognitive functioning, and potential health risks (Banks & Dinges, 2007). Researchers must ensure informed consent is obtained, explicitly communicating the potential risks involved. Participants need to be fully aware of what the study entails, including the sleep deprivation component, to make an autonomous decision about their involvement.

Moreover, the principle of excellence encompasses conducting research that advances knowledge while minimizing harm and maximizing benefits (Resnik, 2020). While exploring the effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance may contribute valuable insights, the ethical dilemma arises when the harm inflicted on participants outweighs the potential scientific benefit. Sleep deprivation studies can induce stress and fatigue, which might impair students' health and academic performance beyond the scope of the experiment. Ethical research must prioritize the health and safety of participants, possibly by implementing measures such as monitoring their well-being during the study or ensuring that the sleep deprivation is not prolonged or severe enough to cause lasting damage.

Responsible stewardship emphasizes the ethical management of resources and the duty to protect participants from harm (Resnik, 2020). In this case, the stewards of this research need to weigh the scientific benefits against the potential ethical costs. Ethical oversight through Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) is essential to evaluate whether the study design is justified and whether appropriate safeguards are in place. The IRB must consider whether the study's scientific merit justifies the risks posed to student participants and whether alternative, less intrusive methods could be employed.

Additionally, conducting a sleep deprivation study involves considerations related to fairness and justice. Participants should be selected without coercion, and vulnerable populations should be protected from exploitation (National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research, 1979). It is critical to ensure that participation is voluntary and that students do not feel pressured to participate due to academic coercion or social expectations.

Lastly, adherence to ethical standards also entails providing after-study follow-up, particularly if any adverse effects are observed. Participants should receive appropriate debriefing about the purposes of the research and any potential health concerns. Researchers must also consider how to mitigate any negative effects resulting from sleep deprivation, such as offering rest or recovery time post-study.

In conclusion, while studying the effects of sleep deprivation on academic performance can contribute valuable knowledge, it must be conducted within a strict ethical framework aligned with Saint Leo’s core values. Upholding integrity involves honest and transparent communication, safeguarding student health and safety reflects excellence, and diligent management of risks and resources demonstrates responsible stewardship. The ethical conduct of such research necessitates careful review and oversight to balance scientific benefits with the moral obligation to protect and respect participants’ rights and well-being.

References

• Banks, S., & Dinges, D. F. (2007). Behavioral and Physiological Consequences of Sleep Restriction. Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine, 3(5), 519–528.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2013). Principles of Biomedical Ethics. Oxford University Press.
• National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research. (1979). The Belmont Report: Ethical Principles and Guidelines for the Protection of Human Subjects of Research.
• Resnik, D. B. (2020). Ethics of Research with Human Subjects. In The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.](https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/research-ethics/)
• Hood, L. (2018). Research ethics: safeguards for human subjects. Bioethics, 32(7), 468-473.
• Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. SAGE Publications.
• Shamoo, A. E., & Resnik, D. B. (2015). Responsible Conduct of Research. Oxford University Press.
• Wendler, D., & Beauchamp, T. (2008). The Place of Routine Healthcare in Research Ethics. The Journal of Medical Ethics, 34(4), 209-213.
• World Medical Association. (2013). Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects.
• Rudolph, K. E. (2012). Ethical Dilemmas in Sleep Research: Balancing Benefits and Risks. Journal of Bioethical Inquiry, 9(2), 161-169.