0.5 Research Ethics Quiz

A researcher wants to study the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance. Participants are asked to stay awake for 36 hours while performing various tasks. Which ethical concern is most prominent in this scenario?

• Lack of informed consent

• Potential for psychological harm

• Inadequate debriefing

• Use of deception

In a study on social conformity, participants are told they are evaluating a new product, but are actually being observed for their reactions to confederates' opinions. What ethical issue does this scenario primarily raise?

• Lack of anonymity

• Physical harm to participants

• Use of deception

• Improper informed consent

A researcher studying childhood anxiety interviews 10-year-old children without their parents present. What is the most appropriate ethical procedure in this case?

• Obtaining informed consent from parents only

• Obtaining informed consent from children only

• Obtaining informed consent from parents and informed assent from children

• No consent is necessary for children under 18

A psychology experiment involves exposing participants to mild electric shocks. The researcher obtained approval from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before conducting the study. Why is IRB approval important in this case?

• To ensure proper statistical analysis

• To guarantee publication of results

• To protect participants from undue harm

• To secure funding for the research

In a study on memory, participants are asked to recall traumatic events from their past. After the experiment, the researcher provides contact information for counseling services. This action best represents which ethical consideration?

• Informed consent

• Debriefing

• Confidentiality

• Use of deception

A researcher studying workplace behavior collects data through anonymous online surveys. What ethical principle is being prioritized in this method?

• Informed consent

• Debriefing

• Confidentiality

• Use of deception

In an experiment on group dynamics, participants are led to believe they are interacting with real people online, when in fact they are interacting with a computer program. At the end of the study, the researcher reveals the truth about the setup. This is an example of:

• Improper informed consent

• Breach of confidentiality

• Use of deception with proper debriefing

• Unethical use of technology

A study on animal cognition involves teaching chimpanzees to use symbols for communication. What is a key ethical consideration for this type of research?

• Obtaining informed consent from the chimpanzees

• Ensuring the humane treatment of the animals

• Providing monetary compensation to the animals

• Publishing results in peer-reviewed journals

In a longitudinal study on adolescent development, researchers discover that one participant is engaging in self-harm. What is the most appropriate ethical action?

• Maintain strict confidentiality and do not intervene

• Immediately inform the participant's parents without consent

• Break confidentiality to ensure the participant's safety, following predetermined protocols

• Exclude the participant's data from the study

A researcher wants to study the effects of violent video games on aggressive behavior. Participants play either a violent or non-violent game and then engage in a task measuring aggression. What ethical precaution is most important in this study?

• Using only adult participants

• Ensuring participants cannot actually harm others during the aggression measurement

• Withholding the true purpose of the study until after completion

• Providing monetary compensation to all participants