Ethical Research Practices & Compliance Flashcards

Under the Belmont Report, which principle requires that the benefits of research justify its risks?

Answer: Beneficence

Beneficence obligates researchers to maximize benefits and minimize harms, ensuring the risk-benefit ratio is acceptable.

A researcher collects data from a focus group but later wants to use quotes in a publication. What must they obtain first?

Answer: Informed consent from participants for that specific use

Secondary use of participant quotes in publications typically requires specific consent beyond the original research agreement.

Which practice violates the principle of data minimization in ethical research?

Answer: Storing participant ages when only age ranges are needed

Data minimization requires collecting only the least amount of personal data necessary, making precise ages unnecessary when ranges suffice.

A market research firm receives a request to survey consumers about a competitor's product weaknesses. What ethical concern arises if the sponsor's identity is concealed?

Answer: Undisclosed sponsorship conflict

Concealing sponsor identity when it could influence participant responses or public perception violates transparency standards.

When a researcher discovers mid-study that a participant is experiencing psychological distress, what is the immediate ethical obligation?

Answer: Offer to stop and provide referral resources

Participant welfare supersedes data collection; researchers must stop and provide appropriate support or referrals.

Which scenario represents 'deceptive research' that may be ethically permissible under strict conditions?

Answer: Withholding the true study purpose to prevent response bias, with full debriefing afterward

Limited deception about study purpose can be ethically justified when bias would otherwise invalidate results, provided full debriefing follows.

A PRC-certified researcher is pressured by a client to omit unfavorable findings from a final report. What is the correct response?

Answer: Include all findings and note the client's request in documentation

Professional integrity and PRC standards require complete, accurate reporting regardless of client preferences.