The Principles in Practice

The field of research ethics has evolved over time to ensure that researchers conduct their studies in a manner that is respectful of the rights and dignity of human subjects. Two examples of research studies that have raised ethical concerns are Laud Humphreys' "Tearoom Trade" study and the "Tastes, Ties, and Time (T3)" study.

In Humphreys' study, detailed in his book "Tearoom Trade: Impersonal Sex in Public Places," the researcher observed men meeting other men for casual sexual encounters in public restrooms. Humphreys gained the confidence of the men by pretending to be a participant and acting as a lookout. He eventually revealed himself as a researcher to some of the men and was able to interview them openly, but he withheld his identity from many others. Humphreys recorded the license plate numbers of a subset of 100 other tearoom regulars in order to contact them for interviews at a later date. A year after completing the observational part of the study, Humphreys followed up with these subjects, including them in a separate social health study that enabled him to conduct in-home surveys and gather data about their family relationships and religious background (Hicks 2020).

Humphreys maintained that the researcher's obligation to protect respondents from harm was a critical ethical assumption. To avoid being recognized by the interview subjects, Humphreys changed his appearance and the kind of car he drove. The resulting book, based on Humphreys' dissertation, may have been beneficial in dispelling some stereotypes, but the research violated the autonomy of the individuals who became part of Humphreys' study without their knowledge. Humphreys' research occurred in a different regulatory environment, prior to the creation of the National Commission and the codification of federal regulations protecting human subjects.

A more recent example of research that obtained personal information about individuals without their knowledge is the "Tastes, Ties, and Time (T3)" study (2006-2009). Sociologists gleaned voluminous and detailed personal information from the Facebook profiles of an entire class of undergraduates and followed those students over four years. The research team created an extensive data set that included students' gender, home state, major, political and group affiliations, friend networks, photographs, and tastes in music, books, and film. In 2008, the researchers made the data publicly available through the Dataverse Network Project. Although no students were identified by name, some data were specific enough to allow for re-identification of students by an outside researcher (Hicks 2020).

These two studies highlight the importance of ethical considerations when conducting research involving human subjects. Researchers must ensure that they obtain informed consent from their subjects and protect their privacy and confidentiality. Ethical guidelines and regulations exist to protect individuals from harm and ensure that research is conducted with integrity.

References

 Hicks, L. (2020). CITI - Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative. Citiprogram.org; CITI         Program. https://www.citiprogram.org/members/index.cfm?pageID=665&ce=1#view

 

 

Respect for Persons in Research

Respect for Persons in Research

 The principle of respect for persons is one of the three fundamental principles of research ethics, along with beneficence and justice. It is based on the belief that all individuals have the right to be treated with autonomy and respect, regardless of their age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or health status.

The principle of respect for persons has two main components (Hicks, 2020) :

Autonomy: This means that individuals should be able to make their own decisions about their participation in research, without coercion or undue influence. Researchers must provide potential research subjects with all the information they need to make an informed decision, including the risks and benefits of participating in the study.

Protection of those with diminished autonomy: This means that researchers have a special obligation to protect individuals who are not able to make their own decisions about research participation, such as children and people with cognitive impairments. In these cases, researchers may need to obtain consent from a parent or guardian or use other methods to ensure that the individual's rights are protected.

 

The principle of respect for persons is essential to ensuring that research is conducted ethically. By respecting the autonomy of research subjects, researchers can help to ensure that they are not exploited or harmed.

Here are some specific ways to demonstrate respect for persons in research (Hicks, 2020):

Provide potential research subjects with clear and concise information about the study, including the risks and benefits of participation.

Allow potential research subjects to ask questions and seek clarification about the study.

Respect the decision of potential research subjects who choose not to participate in the study.

Protect the privacy and confidentiality of research subjects.

Use methods that minimize the risks to research subjects.

Provide support to research subjects who experience harm as a result of participating in the study.

The principle of respect for persons is a complex and challenging one, but it is essential to ensuring that research is conducted ethically. By following these guidelines, researchers can help to protect the rights and interests of research subjects (Hicks, 2020).

In addition to the above, here are some other things to keep in mind when demonstrating respect for persons in research:

• Be sensitive to the cultural and religious beliefs of research subjects.
• Make sure that research materials are accessible to people with disabilities.
• Be aware of the potential for coercion or undue influence, and take steps to mitigate these risks.
• Be transparent about your research goals and procedures.
• Build trust with research subjects by being honest and respectful.
• By following these guidelines, researchers can help to ensure that they are demonstrating respect for persons in their research.

References

 Hicks, L. (2020). CITI - Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative. Citiprogram.org; CITI         Program. https://www.citiprogram.org/members/index.cfm?pageID=665&ce=1#view

 

How to Combat Feelings of Inadequacy

How to combat feelings of inadequacy

 Feelings of inadequacy are a common experience that can be caused by a variety of factors, such as unrealistic expectations, negative self-talk, and past experiences of failure. When we feel inadequate, it can be difficult to focus on our goals, take risks, and feel good about ourselves.

Here are some tips on how to combat feelings of inadequacy:

1. Identify the source of your feelings. What are the specific thoughts and beliefs that are making you feel inadequate? Once you know the source of your feelings, you can start to challenge them.
2. Practice positive self-talk. Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Remind yourself that you are capable and worthy of success.
3. Set realistic goals. When we set unrealistic goals, we are setting ourselves up for failure. Instead, set goals that are challenging but achievable. This will help you build confidence and feel more accomplished.
4. Take risks. Stepping outside of your comfort zone can be scary, but it is also a great way to challenge your negative beliefs and build confidence. When you take risks and succeed, it can help you feel more capable and worthy.
5. Surround yourself with positive people. The people we spend time with can have a big impact on our self-esteem. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and support your goals.
6. Seek professional help. If you are struggling to cope with feelings of inadequacy, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A therapist can help you identify the root of your problems and develop strategies for coping.

Combating feelings of inadequacy is not easy, but it is possible. By following these tips, you can start to challenge your negative beliefs and build a more positive self-image.

Here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• The Anxiety and Depression Association of America: https://adaa.org/
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness: https://www.nami.org/
• The National Eating Disorders Association: https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
• The Jed Foundation: https://www.jedfoundation.org/

Remember, you are not alone. Many people experience feelings of inadequacy, and there are resources available to help them cope.