Ethics in Social Science Research Special difficulties in

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Ethics in Social Science Research Special difficulties in Criminal Justice & Criminology

Ethics in Social Science Research Special difficulties in Criminal Justice & Criminology

General rules u First, do no harm Physical or psychological u Privacy: Anonymity and

General rules u First, do no harm Physical or psychological u Privacy: Anonymity and confidentiality u The use of deception u Analysis and reporting

General principles u Voluntary participation u Informed consent: components include general explanation of the

General principles u Voluntary participation u Informed consent: components include general explanation of the study, methods, privacy issues, voluntary participation, right to withdraw at any time, who to call with questions. See p. 65 u Special populations: children, prisoners

IRBs u Institutional Review Boards u Federal and state funds require approval from the

IRBs u Institutional Review Boards u Federal and state funds require approval from the appropriate IRBs (agencies, universities)

Exceptions u Educational settings involving normal educational practices u Use of educational tests, surveys,

Exceptions u Educational settings involving normal educational practices u Use of educational tests, surveys, interviews, observation of public behavior, unless (1) subjects can be identified and (2) disclosure of responses could be damaging

Exceptions u Tests, surveys, interviews or observation of public behavior if (1) subjects are

Exceptions u Tests, surveys, interviews or observation of public behavior if (1) subjects are public officials, or (2) results are confidential u Record research if records are publicly available or if data is collected and used in such a way that subjects cannot be identified

Exceptions u Agency research, evaluating service programs, procedures, provision of benefits u Although these

Exceptions u Agency research, evaluating service programs, procedures, provision of benefits u Although these are exempt categories, generally researchers will need to consult IRBs to obtain exemptions from full review u See graduate website for Southeast requirements

Harmful studies u Tuskegee Institute’s study of syphilis u Study of stuttering u Psychologically

Harmful studies u Tuskegee Institute’s study of syphilis u Study of stuttering u Psychologically harmful u Stanford prison simulation experiment u Milgram’s studies

Specific problems in the field of CJ u Collecting information from active criminals—there could

Specific problems in the field of CJ u Collecting information from active criminals—there could be danger to others (retaliation) u Also to victims, especially domestic violence victims u Collecting information could lead to danger to researchers (ex: Missouri COPS study, bystander research)

Specific problems u Maintaining confidentiality— observing criminal activity and not reporting might be obstructing

Specific problems u Maintaining confidentiality— observing criminal activity and not reporting might be obstructing justice u Federal legislation protects legitimate research, staff have immunity from prosecution for maintaining confidentiality

Specific problems u Staff misbehavior—if you are studying criminal justice personnel, they have been

Specific problems u Staff misbehavior—if you are studying criminal justice personnel, they have been promised confidentiality u Example of police study of unconstitutional searches

Specific problems u Observational studies u Observing illegal activities could lead to potential danger

Specific problems u Observational studies u Observing illegal activities could lead to potential danger if discovered u Danger of getting drawn into illegal behavior u Probably better to be upfront

Specific problems u Interventions that lead to crime displacement u Mandatory reporting u Withholding

Specific problems u Interventions that lead to crime displacement u Mandatory reporting u Withholding treatment from a control group found to be beneficial u What if treatment appears to be harmful (hormone treatment and menopausal subjects

Specific problems u Mandatory reporting (i. e. , child abuse) u TX study u

Specific problems u Mandatory reporting (i. e. , child abuse) u TX study u Other studies u Tearoom trade study u Zimbardo study u Book examples