Research resulting in physical or emotional trauma for participants, without informed consent, is undoubtedly an ethical violation. However, other situations are not as clear. One of the reasons for debate about ethical issues is because ethics are opinions informed by people’s values, and people have different values. There may not be one definitive right answer. To get closer to an answer, though, researchers dialogue with themselves and submit their proposals to authorities such as IRBs and ethics committees for checks and balances.
Ethical and cultural considerations impact every stage of the research process—from problem identification to recruitment of participants to dissemination of findings. For this Discussion, you view and respond to a scenario involving research study recruitment. As you do so, consider which, if any, ethical mandates or standards are violated.
To Prepare:
Review the Learning Resources on ethics and cultural competence related to research study recruitment.
View the Parker Family video in the Learning Resources, paying close attention to ethical and cultural considerations.
By Day 3
If you were the researcher for the study in question: Would you see any issue with how the social worker presented your study to the client? Explain why or why not. Be sure to address ethical and cultural considerations and apply the NASW Code of Ethics in your post.
