Test Bank

Chapter 3: Research Ethics

Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following is a current ethical standard concerning the treatment of human subjects?

a. Research should cause no harm to subjects unless they have agreed to the risks.

b. Anonymity or confidentiality must be maintained.

c. Subjects should be compensated for their time and effort.

d. Benefits of the research are prioritized despite foreseeable risks.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Ethical Principles

Difficulty Level: Medium

2. Regarding the ability to give consent to participate in research, which of the following statements is true about children and adolescents?

a. They may agree to participate, but must have a legal guardian give them written permission to do so.

b. They can be used if the researcher asks the IRB.

c. They can give consent by signing a consent form.

d. They may only participate if the researcher can prove there are no possible risks to participation.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Obtain Informed Consent

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Which of the following serious human rights abuse cases led to the creation of guidelines for research involving human subjects?

a. the United States War Crime Trials

b. the Tearoom Trade

c. the Tuskegee Syphilis Study

d. the Stanford Prison Experiment

Learning Objective: 3.1: Describe some of the historical events involving research projects that have raised questions about the protection of human subjects.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Historical Background

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. Which of the following is a requirement for experiments that use deception?

a. a formal human subjects review

b. informed consent

c. reimbursement

d. confidentiality

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Avoid Deception in Research, Except in Limited Circumstances

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. What does a researcher do during the process of debriefing?

a. tries to make sure the participants are competent to give consent

b. explains to the subject what happened in the study and why

c. discloses their identity

d. obtains research approval from the IRB

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Obtain Informed Consent

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. There are special protections in place regarding research involving ______ populations.

a. egregious

b. indecent

c. vulnerable

d. fearful

Learning Objective: 3.5: Explain how an institutional review board operates and how it classifies research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Institutional Review Board

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Which type of research tends to create few ethical problems?

a. survey

b. experiment

c. explanatory

d. descriptive

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Conclusions

Difficulty Level: Medium

8. What event exposed the horrific medical experiments that were conducted by Nazi doctors in the name of “science” during World War II?

a. the Nuremburg War Crime Trials

b. the Nazi Trials

c. the Holocaust

d. the Hidenburg Trials

Learning Objective: 3.1: Describe some of the historical events involving research projects that have raised questions about the protection of human subjects.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Historical Background

Difficulty Level: Easy

9. What is one ethical principle established by The Belmont Report of 1979?

a. respect for persons

b. sympathy

c. anonymity

d. experimentation

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Historical Background

Difficulty Level: Medium

10. Which study explored the effects of becoming a prisoner and prison guard by creating a mock prison using students from Stanford University?

a. Zimbardo’s prison simulation study

b. Olson’s mock prison study

c. Bandura’s Bodo doll experiment

d. Milgram’s obedience studies

Learning Objective: 3.1: Describe some of the historical events involving research projects that have raised questions about the protection of human subjects.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Avoid Harming Research Participants

Difficulty Level: Easy

11. ______ refers to the act of subjects being misled about research procedures to determine how they would react to treatment if they were not research subjects.

a. Surprise

b. Misrepresentation

c. Deception

d. Exaggeration

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Avoid Deception in Research, Except in Limited Circumstances

Difficulty Level: Easy

12. Which act was created to ensure much more stringent regulations for the protection of health care data?

a. the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act

b. the United States Protection of Health Insurance Act

c. the Health Care Data Protection Policy

d. the Public Health Act

Learning Objective: 3.5: Explain how an institutional review board operates and how it classifies research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Maintain Privacy and Confidentiality

Difficulty Level: Easy

13. Which of the following organizations monitors IRBs, with the exception of research involving drugs?

a. the Food and Drug Administration

b. National Archives and Records Administration

c. the Federal Food and Drug Administration

d. the Office for Protection from Research Risks

Learning Objective: 3.5: Explain how an institutional review board operates and how it classifies research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Institutional Review Board

Difficulty Level: Easy

14. ______ is a term used to refer to minimizing possible harms and maximizing benefits.

a. Obedience

b. Respect

c. Justice

d. Beneficence

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Historical Background

Difficulty Level: Medium

15. Which of the following actions demonstrates respect for persons?

a. not reporting illegal activity during a study

b. protecting those with diminished autonomy

c. not reporting on observed behavior in a public area without consent

d. allowing participants to leave the study at any time

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Historical Background

Difficulty Level: Medium

16. What should be included in an IRB proposal?

a. personal opinions regarding the topic

b. research instruments

c. media coverage of topic

d. overview of the research design

Learning Objective: 3.5: Explain how an institutional review board operates and how it classifies research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Institutional Review Board

Difficulty Level: Medium

17. IRBs are required to have at least ______ members, with ______.

a. fifteen; all members being from the same institution

b. seven, at least one ethnographer

c. five; at least one nonscientist and one from outside the institution

d. ten members; one lawyer

Learning Objective: 3.5: Explain how an institutional review board operates and how it classifies research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Institutional Review Board

Difficulty Level: Easy

18. Why should statements of confidentiality be realistic?

a. They inform the researcher what the participant is willing to do.

b. They will make participants feel better about participating.

c. They may be subpoenaed.

d. They will be reviewed by the researcher’s supervisor.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Maintain Privacy and Confidentiality

Difficulty Level: Medium

19. In the prison simulation study, the researchers did not foresee which of the following outcomes?

a. “Guards” enjoyed exercising authority.

b. Participants were willing to dress as “prisoners.”

c. Some “prisoners” were released with negative reactions within the first few days.

d. Participants would embody the actions of a “prisoner.”

Learning Objective: 3.1: Describe some of the historical events involving research projects that have raised questions about the protection of human subjects.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Avoid Harming Research Participants

Difficulty Level: Medium

20. Why can’t mentally disabled persons consent to research participation?

a. Institutions are concerned with their access to social resources.

b. It is impossible to know if they comprehend the entirety of the study.

c. It is controversial.

d. Researchers may exploit them.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Obtain Informed Consent

Difficulty Level: Medium

21. The simple answer to the question “What is ethical research practice?” is ______.

a. “There is no simple answer.”

b. “Never use deception.”

c. “Make sure no harm is caused to subjects.”

d. “Make sure to compensate subjects for participation.”

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Avoid Harming Research Participants

Difficulty Level: Medium

22. Researchers should avoid ______, except in limited circumstances.

a. deception

b. confidentiality

c. anonymity

d. controversy

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Avoid Deception in Research, Except in Limited Circumstances

Difficulty Level: Medium

23. Anonymity and ______ must be maintained for research participants unless it is explicitly waived.

a. consent forms

b. the intent of the study

c. preservation

d. confidentiality

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Maintain Privacy and Confidentiality

Difficulty Level: Easy

24. In social research, benefits should always outweigh ______.

a. risks

b. outcomes

c. ethical values

d. research methods

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Consider Uses of Research So That Benefits Outweigh Risks

Difficulty Level: Easy

25. Research participants must consent to participate in an experiment ______.

a. with persuasion

b. voluntarily

c. unknowingly

d. on a whim

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Protecting Research Participants

Difficulty Level: Easy

26. The language of a consent form must be ______ research participants.

a. relatable to

b. understandable for

c. indescribable to

d. open to interpretation by

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Obtain Informed Consent

Difficulty: Easy

27. It is often considered unethical to withhold beneficial ______ from some research subjects, while offering it to others.

a. resources

b. conversations

c. education

d. treatment

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Consider Uses of Research So That Benefits Outweigh Risks

Difficulty Level: Medium

28. A researcher may have a(n) ______ review rather than being send to the full IRB board, if their experiment poses minimal risk to human subjects.

a. beneficial

b. expedited

c. honest

d. fast

Learning Objective: 3.5: Explain how an institutional review board operates and how it classifies research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: The Institutional Review Board

Difficulty Level: Easy

29. When a researcher has a significant stake in the design or outcome of their research, this is an example of ______.

a. debriefing

b. outsourcing

c. individualistic meritocracy

d. a conflict of interest

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Achieving Valid Results | Honesty and Openness

Difficulty Level: Medium

30. Receiving financial rewards because of the way in which a researcher’s study is designed is an example of a(n) ______.

a. conflict of interest

b. research design

c. experiment

d. HIPPA violation

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Honesty and Openness

Difficulty Level: Medium

31. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) can issue a ______ to protect researchers from being legally required to disclose confidential information.

a. HIPPA voucher

b. informed consent notice

c. certificate of confidentiality

d. notice of disclosure

Learning Objective: 3.3: Evaluate common ethical challenges in social research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Maintain Privacy and Confidentiality

Difficulty Level: Easy

32. Commitment to ______ is the necessary starting point for ethical research practice.

a. achieving valid results

b. validating one’s hypothesis

c. deceiving research subjects

d. quantitative data analysis

Learning Objective: 3.3: Evaluate common ethical challenges in social research.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Achieving Valid Results

Difficulty Level: Medium

33. Some proposals developed by social scientists may be exempt from review by the IRB because they involve ______.

a. complete confidentiality

b. double blind experiments

c. HIPPA disclosers

d. low levels of perceived risk

Learning Objective: 3.5: Explain how an institutional review board operates and how it classifies research.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: The Institutional Review Board

Difficulty Level: Hard

34. Which statement is most accurate regarding ethical standards in social science research?

a. Maintaining ethical standards in social science research is of the highest importance but often challenging or frustrating in application.

b. Social scientists have little agreement on ethical practices and thus implement an array of individualized protocols when conducting research.

c. Ethical misconduct in social science research rarely occurs and when it does, it is difficult to detect and have retracted.

d. Social scientists are committed to ethical research practice and in most instances are trusted to act in good faith without oversight when conducting research.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Evaluate common ethical challenges in social research.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Research Ethics

Difficulty Level: Hard

35. Providing protections such as beneficence for human subjects, particularly those with diminished capacity, is a central tenant of ______.

a. HIPPA

b. The Belmont Report

c. The Tuskegee Experiment

d. Institutional Review Boards

Learning Objective: 3.1: Describe some of the historical events involving research projects that have raised questions about the protection of human subjects.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Historical Background

Difficulty Level: Medium

36. Which of the following statements is most accurate regarding deception?

a. Deception is typically used in sociology experiments because observing necessary real-world phenomenon is often too difficult.

b. While deception is often employed to enhance research methodologies most social psychological research could be successfully conducted without its use.

c. Due to ethical concerns, social scientists may employ deception when researching only under controlled and limited conditions.

d. The practice of deception is widely employed in social science research with little supervision from ethics or review boards.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Avoid Deception in Research, Except in Limited Circumstances

Difficulty Level: Hard

37. In addition to considering confidentiality and informed consent, what must social science researchers also consider?

a. how much they will benefit personally from the application of their research

b. how well the findings align with the initial hypothesis and expectations

c. how the findings align with personal values and expectations for outcomes

d. how the research findings will be put to use

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Consider Uses of Research So that Benefits Outweigh Risks

Difficulty Level: Medium

38. Which of the following statements is true about withholding ethical treatment from research subjects?

a. It is typically justified in social science research.

b. It is cause for concern and requires a review of the study’s justification and design.

c. It is never authorized in social science research as the risks always outweigh the potential benefits.

d. It is not a consideration for social science researchers as they rarely study issues with the potential to cause harm.

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Application

Answer Location: Consider Uses of Research So that Benefits Outweigh Risks

Difficulty Level: Hard

39. To be informed, consent must be given by persons who have ______.

a. no conflict of interest

b. comprehended what they have been told

c. agreed to share their personal information for the purpose of the study

d. an interest in the research question and outcome

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Obtain Informed Consent

Difficulty Level: Easy

40. The extent to which ethical issues are a problem for researcher and participants varies with the ______.

a. type of research design

b. institution conducting the review

c. values and beliefs of the researcher

d. hypothesis of the research study

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Conclusions

Difficulty Level: Medium

True/False

1. It is typically important for scientists to be open and honest about their research methods and their findings.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Honesty and Openness

Difficulty Level: Easy

2. The commitment to achieving valid results is not important to consider when conducting ethical research.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Conclusions

Difficulty Level: Medium

3. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality is a key ethical standard for protecting research participants.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Maintain Privacy and Confidentiality

Difficulty Level: Easy

4. Deception is a commonly used tactic in social experiments as it gives the “truest” result.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Describe some of the historical events involving research projects that have raised questions about the protection of human subjects.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Avoid Deception in Research, Except in Limited Circumstances

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. The Nuremberg War Crime Trials were one of the larger cases that led to the development of modern ethical procedures for the protection and treatment of participants in research studies.

Learning Objective: 3.1: Describe some of the historical events involving research projects that have raised questions about the protection of human subjects.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Historical Background

Difficulty Level: Easy

6. Consent can only be given by people who are competent to consent, have done so voluntarily and who are fully informed on the research being conducted.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Obtain Informed Consent

Difficulty Level: Easy

7. Institutions seeking federal funds for research involving human subjects do not need a group that reviews research proposals.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: The Institutional Review Board

Difficulty Level: Easy

8. Children can give consent to participate in research if they show they are mature enough for the study and are not rewarded for participating.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Obtaining Informed Consent

Difficulty Level: Easy

9. Researchers are not expected/required to foresee any possible risks or benefits to their human subject.

Learning Objective: 3.4: List current standards for the protection of human subjects in research.

Cognitive Domain: Knowledge

Answer Location: Consider Uses of Research So That Benefits Outweigh Risks

Difficulty Level: Easy

10. Although unethical, the pressure to publish research findings and receive recognition can tempt researchers to alter data, mischaracterize procedures or results to make the “look better.”

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Honesty and Openness

Difficulty Level: Easy

Short Answer

1. Give an example of when deception may be necessary in a research study. Why would participants need to be deceived? How would you justify to an IRB that the benefits of deception outweigh the possible risks? How would you debrief participants after the study?

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Avoid Deception in Research, Except in Limited Circumstances

Difficulty Level: Hard

2. Why is there no simple answer to the question “What is, or isn’t, ethical research practice?”

Learning Objective: 3.2: Identify the key principles involved in conducting ethical research.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Ethical Principles

Difficulty Level: Hard

3. Identify and discuss the three basic principles for the protection of human subjects as established by the Belmont Report in 1979. What specific historical events necessitated these guidelines? How did these events shape the Belmont Report and social scientists understanding of ethical practices?

Learning Objective: 3.1: Describe some of the historical events involving research projects that have raised questions about the protection of human subjects.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Historical Background

Difficulty Level: Hard

4. Describe the process of gaining assent/consent to conduct research involving children as participants.

Learning Objective: 3.3: Evaluate common ethical challenges in social research.

Cognitive Domain: Comprehension

Answer Location: Obtain Informed Consent

Difficulty Level: Medium

5. As a social science researcher what struggles with maintaining ethical behavior might you encounter? How would you work to ensure your ethical behavior in the face of these obstacles?

Learning Objective: 3.3: Evaluate common ethical challenges in social research.

Cognitive Domain: Analysis

Answer Location: Honesty and Openness

Difficulty Level: Hard