Which of the following constitute ethical issues in a research study involving…
2023
Which of the following constitute ethical issues in a research study involving human participants?
A. Lack of informed consent
B. Physical and psychological harm
C. Excessive inducements
D. Debriefing
Choose the correct answer from the options given below.
Answer: A. A, B & C only — Concept: Research ethics protects human participants through voluntary informed consent, minimization of physical and psychological harm, and freedom from…
- A.
A, B & C only
- B.
B, C & D only
- C.
A, C & D only
- D.
A, B, C & D
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Concept: Research ethics protects human participants through voluntary informed consent, minimization of physical and psychological harm, and freedom from undue influence.
A procedure such as debriefing is generally a safeguard: it explains the study after participation, especially when full prior disclosure was not possible.
Application
In this item, lack of informed consent threatens autonomy; physical or psychological harm threatens welfare; and excessive inducements can compromise voluntary choice. Debriefing, by contrast, is a protective disclosure procedure rather than an ethical violation in itself.
Contrast
B, C & D only includes debriefing but leaves out the informed-consent issue.
A, C & D only includes debriefing but leaves out the risk of physical and psychological harm.
A, B, C & D treats the safeguard of debriefing itself as an ethical problem.
Cross-check
Apply the three basic participant-protection tests—autonomy, welfare, and voluntariness. A, B, and C each breach one of these protections, whereas D describes a remedial safeguard.
Result: The ethical issues are A, B and C only.