What are the researcher's responsibilities with regards to anonymity in survey and observation research?

What will be an ideal response?


An ethical issue that is salient in survey and observation research is respondents' anonymity. Researchers have an obligation to not disclose respondents' names to outside parties, including the client. This is all the more critical if the respondents were promised anonymity in order to obtain their participation. The client is not entitled to the names of respondents. Only when respondents are notified in advance and their consent is obtained prior to administering the survey can their names be disclosed to the client. Even in such situations, the researcher should have the assurance that the client will not use respondents' names in sales efforts or misuse them in other ways.

Often the behavior of people is observed without their knowledge because informing the respondents may alter their behavior. However, this can violate the respondents' privacy. One guideline is that people should not be observed for research in situations where they would not expect to be observed by the public. However, observing people in public places like a mall or a grocery store is appropriate if certain procedures are followed. Notices should be posted in these areas stating that they are under observation for marketing research purposes. After the data have been collected, the researcher should obtain the necessary permission from the respondents. If any of the respondents refuse to grant permission, the observation records pertaining to them should be destroyed. These guidelines should also be applied when using cookies on the Internet.

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Mr. and Mrs. King had only one casualty loss this year when a tornado (a federally declared disaster) damaged their home, decreasing its value by $70,000. The couple received a $48,000 reimbursement from their insurance company. Compute the Kings' itemized deduction for casualty losses if their AGI was $98,200.

A. $21,900 B. $12,080 C. $60,080 D. $22,000

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A federal government agency is planning to build a dam in Maine. The land where the dam will

be located, and the area that will be under the lake to be formed, is currently all privately owned. Which of the following correctly describes the requirement for an environmental impact statement? A) An environmental impact statement is required unless the EPA grants a waiver. B) An environmental impact statement is required only if the land will become federal land before the dam is built. C) An environmental impact statement is required only if any of the land affected is classified as wetland. D) An environmental impact statement is not required because the land is private. E) An environmental impact statement is required because it is the federal government who is undertaking his project.

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Oakton Furniture provided the following information relevant to its sales for December Year 1 and the first quarter of Year 2: Dec. Year 1 Jan. Year 2 Feb. Year 2 Mar. Year 2 (Actual) (Budgeted) (Budgeted) (Budgeted)Credit sales$64,000?  $144,000?  $159,000?  $114,000? Cash sales$14,000?  $29,000?  $34,000?  $16,000? Based on the company's collection history, 50% of credit sales are collected in month of sale and the remainder is collected in the following month. Cash collections in January from December credit sales would be:

A. $35,840. B. $45,320. C. $32,000. D. $50,000.

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Theft of confidential data by industrial espionage is a theft of trade secrets

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

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