15 – The Ethics of Social Research

Why Should I Care?

Research projects may incur harm. This issue has to be dealt with by universities to reduce the harm, and make sure that research is designed as ethically as possible.

Definitions

Morals: What is right and wrong, as defined by social norms, traditions, religion, and other  institutions. Values.

Ethics:  What is right and wrong, as argued by a philosophy, a set of logical conclusions, stemming from premises and assumptions.

Deontology: A set of rules that govern conduct, such as law, regulations, and professional practices.

Example of Moral-Ethical conflict

 Where do you place the following events?

	Ethical	Non-Ethical
Moral	Abortion becomes legal 1969
Immoral	Abortion ~1960 in progressive academia	Abortion 1955

Major Principles of Ethical Theory

Harms-Benefits: A tally of advantages and disadvantages of a certain decision or action.

Logic and Intentions (Kant): Where the ends are put in context with the intentions behind the decision or action. 

The University Rules of Ethics

A review committee gives green light to projects, including student research, and faculty research done outside the realms of the university. Projects are reviewed only if they are done on “humans.”

Harms-Benefits is the guiding principle.

If benefits outweigh harms, and harms are not critical, then studies get ok.

Reputational risks and potential legal actions are taken seriously.

Zimbardo experiment would never be done today.

Social science that may do harm to public figures are excluded from the review process. If harm is deemed excessive, people can use the courts to litigate for libel or defamation.

Dawson Research Ethics Board

http://www.dawsoncollege.qc.ca/research-ethics-board/

McGill Policy on the Ethical Conduct of Research Involving Human Participants

http://www.mcgill.ca/medresearch/files/medresearch/policy_on_the_ethical_conduct_of_research_involving_human_participants_2-2013.pdf