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 IN THE CONTEXT OF RESEARCH
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.
RESOURCES
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
WEEKLY RESOURCES
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.
BY DAY 6
Respond to two colleagues by providing your thoughts on how the situation could have been handled differently.
references
· Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018).
Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). Pearson.
· Chapter 2: Ethical Issues in Research (pp. 24–51)
· DeAngelis, T. (2015).
In search of cultural competenceLinks to an external site.
.
American Psychological Association: Monitor on Psychology, 46(3). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2015/03/cultural-competence
· National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.).
Code of ethics
Links to an external site.
. https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English
· Scharff, D. P., Mathews, K. J., Jackson, P., Hoffsuemmer, J., Martin, E., & Edwards, D. (2010).
More than Tuskegee: Understanding mistrust about research participationLinks to an external site.
.
Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Underserved, 21(3), 879–897. https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.0.0323
media
· NIHRtv. (2020, July 1).
An introduction to cultural competence in research
Links to an external site.
[Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VEibZOP01c
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 11 minutes.
· Walden University, LLC. (2013).
Parker family (Episode 4) [Video]. In
Sessions. https://class.waldenu.edu
Note: The approximate length of this media piece is 1 minute.
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responses
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Cheryl D Scott
Cheryl D Scott
Mar 13, 2023Mar 13 at 11:41pm
Manage Discussion Entry
Hello all,
Regarding ethics, the determining factor is what is wrong and right, not legality (Yegidis et al., 2018). Even within the social work field, there are differences of opinion. However, a Code of Ethics has been created to generalize what social workers should abide by, creators National Association of Social Workers (NASW).
Regarding The Parker Family video, a few issues stood out to me. The social worker stated that a friend would be conducting the research. Some would look at that as a dual relationship. The social worker was in the practice of being a broker (Yegidis et al., 2018). The social worker was pushy, making the woman appear pressured and unsure. With dual relationships, the code of ethics indicates that the worker must ensure the client does not experience any harm through the research process. (Yegidis et al., 2018). That could not be a guarantee. Research must be conducted without requiring the use of the client’s records, but if not, the client can provide written consent to disclose (Yedigis, 2018). As I stated before, this is still a concern because the expression on the client’s face in the video appeared that she felt pressured because of the social worker’s pressuring tone. Some clients feel pressured to sign documents under pressure which is signing under duress, which is unethical for a social worker to have a client feel and act under these circumstances (Yedigis, 2018).
If Ms. Parker decided to be a research participant in the video, I would question whether she was voluntary. Ms. Parker stated she did not like people to see her house or how she lives, indicating some embarrassment (Walden University, 2013). The shame would have caused her unnecessary pain and suffering (Yegidis et al., 2018). There is a reason why Ms. Parker is hoarding. If the purpose for the hoarding was discovered during research and it potentially sent Ms. Parker into a mental health crisis, the social worker. It would need to be sure services are available to address her needs immediately (Yedigis et al., 2018). Social workers must protect clients from harm and warn them of potential risks (NASW, n.d.-a.).
I am torn about compensation to be a research participant, especially after the reading. The book states that the participants should be strictly voluntary. When I think of volunteers, I think of free. However, when I think ethically, I believe individuals should be paid for their work. Some research participants are signing up requires much time and effort from their daily lives. In that case, they should be compensated in some way. The type of compensation should be negotiated before the project in written documentation so that every person involved can be held responsible for initial agreements. I have never been a participant in a research project. I have never been that bold to do anything like that, but maybe one day.
Reference
s
National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.-a). Code of ethics.
https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-EnglishLinks to an external site.
Walden University, LLC. (2013).
Parker family (Episode 4) [Video]. In
Sessions.
https://class.waldenu.eduLinks to an external site.
Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2018). Research methods for social workers (8th ed.). Pearson.
Response 2
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Sandra Dean James
Sandra Dean James
Mar 13, 2023Mar 13 at 7:49pm
Manage Discussion Entry
Sandra James
Week 3 -Discussion 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.
, According to the NASW code of ethics it is in a social workers best interest to practice areas of competence develop and enhance their professional expertise and to continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills and apply them in their practice (National Association of Social Workers, 2017).
The NASW code of ethics informed consent process is also designed to inform the subject of risks, rights, and benefits of participation in a clinical research trial. Informed consent, while not always necessary, is a critical form of ethical research involving human subjects. (Smith-Tyler J. (2007).
The Code offers a set of values, principles, and standards to guide decision making and conduct when ethical issues arise.
. As the researcher my concerns would be the lack of information provided to the research participant in general. There was a lack of information presented to provide the client with the opportunity to make a voluntary informed consent /decision based on any concerns she may have had if given all the facts. The researcher may face legal/ethical ramifications, and not have the opportunity to have the research thoroughly conducted with legitimate questions answered.to receive adequate results. Prior to agreeing to participate a person should have a fairly clear idea of what the participation would entail. (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers. (2017).
Due to the time, energy, and money contributed to the study intended to support the larger realm of science. Transparent information should have been provided. It also appears the bribe of money is the ultimate bate without any regard to the value the research can offer. IAs a social worker, utilizing other skills of observation are also important the research candidate was reluctant and appeared uneasy ,as well as the social workers eye contact and negative body language appearing to be misleading .
When asking someone to be part of a research study paid or unpaid intimidation is not a good format in doing so. The social worker should have provided information concerning such as: How will the information collected being utilized? Is there any medication related to this study? is it confidential? How will my personal information be used? Will I be identified through numerically or alphabetically? Will I be completing a survey? How will I be compensated? Every detail should have been provided to allow the participant the right to voluntary informed consent. Consent refers to the fact that there is a clear, generally written, agreement to participate. (Yegidis, Weinbach, & Myers. (2017). I have participated in several researches and compensation, time and agreement of confidentiality did make it easier to make my decision. Today knowing what I do know and the person I have become, more thought would go into making my decision.
Reference
National Association of Social Workers. (2017).
Code of Ethics. Socialworkers.org.https://www.socialworkers.org/about/ethics/code-of-ethics
Smith-Tyler J. (2007). Informed consent, confidentiality, and subject rights in clinical trials.
Proceedings of the American Thoracic Society,
4(2), 189–193.
https://doi.org/10.1513/pats.200701-008GCLinks to an external site.
Walden University, LLC. (2013).
Parker family (Episode 4) [Video]. In
Sessions. https://class.waldenu.edu
Yegidis, B. L., Weinbach, R. W., & Myers, L. L. (2017). Research Methods for Social Workers (8th ed.). Pearson Education (US). https://mbsdirect.vitalsource.com/books/9780134511252
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