Ethics in Research Studies

A researcher is conducting a study on workplace stress. Participants are asked to rate their stress levels daily for two weeks via a mobile app. However, some participants report feeling pressured to participate because the study is conducted by their employer's HR department. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is unethical because participants feel pressured to participate due to their employer's involvement, compromising their ability to provide honest feedback about their stress levels.

A study on decision-making offers participants monetary incentives for completing a series of increasingly complex tasks. The tasks are designed to induce frustration, and participants are not told that they can take breaks at any time. Debriefing occurs after the final task. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is unethical because it induces frustration without allowing breaks, potentially causing psychological distress. Ethical research should prioritize participant well-being and informed consent.

Researchers studying the effects of caffeine on cognitive performance require participants to consume a high dose of caffeine, equivalent to four cups of coffee, without providing information on potential side effects. Participants are healthy adults with no known caffeine sensitivities. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is unethical because it requires participants to consume a high dose of caffeine without informing them of potential side effects, compromising informed consent and participant safety.

A study examines the influence of social support on coping with negative feedback. Participants receive feedback from a simulated 'partner' (actually a pre-programmed computer) that alternates between positive and negative responses. The study does not tell participants the true nature of the partner. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is ethical as it involves a simulated partner and does not cause harm. Participants are not misled about their well-being, and the research aims to understand coping mechanisms, which is valuable for psychological insights.

A researcher investigates the impact of exercise on mental health in a community center. They offer free gym memberships to participants, but participation requires attending mandatory weekly interviews about their personal mental health struggles. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is unethical because it requires participants to disclose personal mental health struggles in mandatory interviews, which may cause distress and violate their privacy, despite offering gym memberships.

Participants in a study on peer influence are told they will be working in groups, but they are actually working alone, with fake feedback given to simulate group dynamics. The study is fully explained afterward, and participants report enjoying the task. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is ethical because participants were debriefed afterward and reported enjoyment of the task. The use of deception was justified to explore peer influence, and no harm was done to the participants.

A study on sleep deprivation recruits college students, offering extra credit for participation. The study involves staying awake for 24 hours and then completing cognitive tasks. Participants are told they can withdraw at any time, but extra credit will only be awarded for completing the full study. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is unethical because it pressures students to stay awake for 24 hours to receive extra credit, compromising their well-being. The option to withdraw is undermined by the requirement to complete the study for credit.

In a study about online behavior, researchers secretly monitor participants' social media activity over a month to understand engagement patterns. Participants consented to data collection but were not specifically informed that their social media would be monitored. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is unethical because participants were not explicitly informed that their social media would be monitored, violating principles of informed consent and transparency in research.

A researcher conducts a survey on dietary habits and mental health, ensuring anonymity by not collecting names or identifiable information. However, some questions probe deeply into participants' mental health history, which could cause discomfort. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is ethical because it ensures participant anonymity, which helps protect their privacy. While the questions may cause discomfort, the lack of identifiable information mitigates ethical concerns.

A study on the impact of parental involvement on children’s academic performance involves interviewing both parents and children. Parental consent is obtained, but children are not asked for their assent separately from their parents. Is this study:

• Ethical

• Unethical

Answer explanation

The study is unethical because it fails to obtain assent from the children, which is necessary for ethical research involving minors. Parental consent alone is insufficient when children are involved.