Topic: Essay on Code of Ethics
Instructions:
Below, you will find a section from the American Sociological Association’s code of ethics regarding deception. Read the section and then answer the questions that follow.
12.05 Use of Deception in Research
(a) Sociologists do not use deceptive techniques (1) unless they have determined that their use will not be harmful to research participants; is justified by the study’s prospective scientific, educational, or applied value; and that equally effective alternative procedures that do not use deception are not feasible; and (2) unless they have obtained the approval of institutional review boards or, in the absence of such boards, with another authoritative body with expertise on the ethics of research.
(b) Sociologists never deceive research participants about significant aspects of the research that would affect their willingness to participate, such as physical risks, discomfort, or unpleasant emotional experiences.
(c) When deception is an integral feature of the design and conduct of research, sociologists attempt to correct any misconception that research participants may have no later than at the conclusion of the research.
(d) On rare occasions, sociologists may need to conceal their identities in order to undertake research that could not practicably be carried out were they to be known as researchers. Under such circumstances, sociologists undertake the research if it involves no more than minimal risk for the research participants and if they have obtained approval to proceed in this manner from an institutional review board or, in the absence of such boards, from another authoritative body with expertise on the ethics of research. Under such circumstances, confidentiality must be maintained unless otherwise set forth in 11.02(b).
Questions
1. Do you believe the Milgram study and the Humphreys study violated the above code of ethics? Why or why not (be specific and provide separate answers for both studies)?
2. Do you believe either of these studies could be conducted without violating the above? Why or why not (provide separate answers for both studies)?
3. Do you believe the benefits of the Milgram study (i.e., what we learned) outweigh any harms that may have come to the participants? How so?
Notes
1. Your report should be 1-1.5 pages, double-spaced. It should be written in 12-point Times New Roman font in 1-inch margins.
No. of Pages: 2
