Week 2 Discussion: How Sociologists Conduct Research

Week 2 Discussion How Sociologists Conduct Researchmust Post Firstsu

Reviewing the various types of research in the Week 2 learning resources, which research method do you think would be most vulnerable to ethical problems? Which research method do you think would be least vulnerable to ethical problems? Please explain your answers in light of the Week 2 learning resources.

Part 1: Do you think that Rik Scarce should have gone to jail for protecting the identity of his research participant? Why or why not? Are there any particular situations you can think of in which a researcher should name their participants and in which they should not name their participants? Based on what you learned in this week's learning resources, what do you think the most ethical approach would be to resolving situations when researchers are asked to identify their research participants?

Paper For Above instruction

The ethical considerations in sociological research are critical to maintaining integrity, protecting participants, and ensuring societal trust. Among the various research methods, qualitative methods such as ethnography and in-depth interviews often pose the greatest vulnerability to ethical problems because they involve close interaction with participants and firsthand insight into personal or sensitive information (UMGC, n.d., Research Methods). These methods require researchers to navigate confidentiality, informed consent, and potential harm, which can be challenging, especially when sensitive topics are involved.

Conversely, quantitative methods such as surveys or secondary data analysis tend to be less vulnerable to ethical issues. Surveys typically involve anonymous responses, minimizing personal risk for participants, and secondary data analysis often utilizes existing datasets where consent has already been obtained, reducing direct interaction and risk of breach (UMGC, n.d., Ethical Concerns). Nevertheless, all research methods require rigorous adherence to ethical standards, including confidentiality and informed consent.

Part 1 of the discussion raises questions about Rik Scarce’s decision to go to jail for refusing to disclose his research participants’ identities. Scarce believed that revealing his participants would violate confidentiality agreements and harm those involved (Scarce, 2013). In my opinion, Scarce acted ethically in prioritizing participant confidentiality over legal compliance in this context, especially when the risks to participants were significant. Protecting research participants’ identities is fundamental in research ethics, particularly when they are involved in sensitive or illegal activities. The violation of confidentiality could expose participants to harm or legal repercussions, which conflicts with the ethical principle of nonmaleficence.

However, there are situations where researchers may be ethically compelled to disclose participant information. For instance, if a participant poses an immediate threat to themselves or others, or if strict legal obligations dictate disclosure (e.g., mandatory reporting of abuse), researchers might be required to reveal information. Nonetheless, in most cases involving sensitive or illegal behavior, maintaining confidentiality aligns with ethical standards, unless overridden by compelling legal or ethical reasons. The most ethical approach to such dilemmas involves a thorough risk-benefit analysis, ensuring that any disclosure is minimized and justified, and that participants are protected to the greatest extent possible (UMGC, n.d., Ethical Concerns).

In sum, the most ethical approach when researchers are asked to disclose participant information involves upholding confidentiality unless overriding reasons, such as imminent harm, exist. Researchers should adopt transparent protocols, secure confidentiality agreements, and seek ethical review board approval to navigate these challenges effectively. This aligns with core research ethics principles—respect for persons, beneficence, and justice—guiding researchers toward ethical integrity in their work.

References

• Scarce, R. (2013). Going to jail for research subjects: A conversation with Rik Scarce. ACJS Today, 38(3), 15-21.
• University of Maryland Global Campus. (n.d.). Week 2. How sociologists conduct research. Document posted in UMGC SOCY 100 online classroom.
• Beauchamp, T. L., & Childress, J. F. (2019). Principles of Biomedical Ethics (8th ed.). Oxford University Press.
• Babbie, E. (2017). The Basics of Social Research (7th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Neuman, W. L. (2014). Social Research Methods: Qualitative and Quantitative Approaches. Pearson.
• Silverman, D. (2016). Qualitative Research. SAGE Publications.
• Fisher, C. B. (2017). Decoding the Ethics Code: A Practical Guide for Psychologists. SAGE Publications.
• American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct.
• Resnik, D. B. (2018). Protecting Human Research Participants. National Academies Press.
• MacQueen, K. M., & McLellan, E. (2007). Code of ethics for social research. American Sociological Association.