Ethics & Professional Conduct Flashcards

A researcher collects biometric data (e.g., eye-tracking) from study participants. What additional ethical obligation applies compared to standard surveys?

Answer: Explicit informed consent specific to biometric data collection and its use must be obtained

Biometric data is sensitive personal data requiring specific, granular informed consent explaining exactly how it will be collected, stored, and used.

Under the MRA (Insights Association) Code of Standards, which obligation does a researcher owe to the public?

Answer: To protect the integrity of the research discipline and not misuse research techniques to mislead the public

The MRA Code holds researchers responsible for protecting the discipline's integrity and preventing misuse of research methods that could mislead the general public.

A research firm stores encrypted respondent data in a cloud environment hosted in a foreign country. What ethical/legal issue is most likely to arise?

Answer: Cross-border data transfers may violate respondents' country-of-origin data protection laws

Transferring personal data across borders may violate data protection regulations (e.g., GDPR) that restrict where and how personal data can be processed.

A client requests that their brand name be kept confidential in a published study. What is the researcher's ethical obligation?

Answer: Honor the request but still disclose that findings come from a sponsored study with a named-sector client

Client brand confidentiality can be honored while still disclosing that the research was sponsored, maintaining transparency about potential bias without breaching the client agreement.

Which practice violates the principle of respondent anonymity in a focus group setting?

Answer: Sharing session recordings with the client without removing identifying characteristics

Sharing recordings that allow clients to identify specific respondents violates the anonymity promise made during consent, even if participants agreed to be recorded.

A CRP is offered a significant bonus by a client if the study results show a specific outcome. The researcher must:

Answer: Decline the outcome-contingent bonus as it compromises research objectivity

Outcome-contingent compensation creates a financial incentive to bias results and must be refused to preserve researcher objectivity and credibility.

When must a researcher stop data collection immediately, regardless of sample size targets?

Answer: When evidence emerges of unexpected harm or distress to participants

Participant welfare supersedes all operational goals; any evidence of unexpected harm or significant distress requires immediate suspension of data collection.