Social & Behavioral Research Course – History and Ethical Principles

Question 1 : Which of the following is an example of how the principle of beneficence is applied to a study involving human subjects?

Answer: Ensuring that risks are reasonable in relationship to anticipated benefits

The principle of beneficence requires that risks are reasonable in relationship to anticipated benefits. The principle of respect for persons requires that subjects understand that participation is voluntary and that they are provided detailed information about the study before giving consent to participate. The principle of justice requires that the selection of subjects is fair.

Question 2: Humphreys collecting data for the Tearoom Trade study under the pretense that he was a lookout is an example of a violation of the principle of:

Answer: Respect for persons

Humphreys collecting data for the Tearoom Trade study while posing as a lookout is an example of a violation of the principle of respect for persons. Respect for persons requires that subjects freely choose to participate in research (voluntariness) and that they are adequately informed about a study (informed consent).

Question 3: Which of the following studies is linked most directly to the establishment of the National Research Act in 1974 and ultimately to the Belmont Report and federal regulations for human subject protection?

Answer: The Public Health Service Study of Untreated Syphilis

The Public Health Service Study of Untreated Syphilis is linked most directly to the establishment of the National Research Act in 1974 and ultimately to the Belmont Report and federal regulations for human subject protection.

Question 4: The Belmont principle of beneficence requires that:

Answer: Potential benefits justify the risks of harm.

The Belmont principle of beneficence requires that potential benefits justify the risks of harm.

Question 5: The researcher’s failure to protect research subjects from deductive disclosure is the primary ethical violation in which of the following studies?

Answer: “Tastes, Ties, and Time (T3)” study (2006-2009)

Although no students were identified by name in the T3 study, some data were specific enough to allow for re-identification of students by an outside researcher. This is an example of the failure to protect subjects from deductive disclosure of their identities. The primary ethical problems of the other studies include physical harms and unanticipated psychological harm.