Discussion – Ethics!
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Hi everyone,
Thank you all for your great introductions. It looks like we are getting to a point where everyone is on board and ready to start taking off with the course! This week’s discussion centers around ethics and research. You are welcome to talk broadly and share big general ideas, but I am also giving you a specific case to help get the conversation started. You will earn 6 points for posting a thoughtful response and then an additional 4 points for posting a response for one of your class mates. There are a total of 10 points possible. To repeat:
6 points – initial response
4 points – response to a classmate’s post
10 points – TOTAL
A sociologist named Humphreys conducted research where he observed men having sex with other men in public restrooms. He built report with the men and eventually became a ‘lookout’. He would stand outside and keep watch to make sure no unsuspecting people ventured in to the bathroom during the exchanges. The men did not know that Humphreys was a researcher. He would observe their behavior and also collect information such as their license plate numbers. Later he would pose as an interviewer and go to their homes in disguise to collect seemingly harmless interview data. He would make interesting observations about the mens marital status and other characteristics (many were married to women and seemed to live double lives). Humphreys argued that he never violated any of the subjects because he kept their identities private and did actually observe them in public areas.
What do you think?
The question this week is what lines should be drawn with research from an ethics standpoint? Is it ethical to study people without letting them know that you are doing so? Where do you draw the line? People watching on the train? Participating in an illegal gambling ring? Selling drugs to learn about the drug trade?
