Dr. Van Offer hired a new assistant to conduct a survey for him. During one of the research luncheon meetings, the new assistant starts to discuss information that respondents have given her
In particular, she tells about one respondent's sexual preferences and then accidentally gives the respondent's name. One of the other assistants is horrified because she is related to the respondent.
Discuss three issues related to the ethical survey, including invasion of privacy, voluntary participation and misuse of surveys. What should Dr. Van Offer do? Are any of these issues related to lessons learned in Chapter 3?
What will be an ideal response?
Invasion of privacy - protect the information received, treat subject with respect, don't break trust established in the interview. Voluntary participation - obtain informed consent, don't force anyone to participate. Depend on voluntary cooperation misuse of surveys - deception, misuse of surveys to obtain information to market products. Privacy and voluntary participation are required elements of informed consent. Misuse of surveys falls under deception which is an ethical concern of itself.
Although Dr. Van Offer didn't break the confidentiality, he is the researcher and is
responsible for the actions of his assistants. He will definitely need to meet with the
assistant and discuss ethical conduct, but he may consider also letting her go.
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