When one considers ethical issues in research, it is helpful to conceptualize the guidelines available in the form of an inverted triangle. Please draw a diagram of what should be included in this triangle.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

At the top of the inverted triangle are general theories of ethics, and the space represents the number of situations that can be addressed with the theories. Conversely, the space may also represent the amount of ambiguity in decision making because there is not the specific clarity that some of the other guides provide. Next are general principles such as autonomy, nonmaleficence, and so on. These general principles allow for a somewhat clearer interpretation than the general theories but do not allow the same number of situations to be addressed. The third type of guide is the professional ethical code, such as that of the American Psychological Association (APA) or the American Counseling Association (ACA). As we move down the triangle with the codes of ethics there is an increased clarity in how and when to use the guidelines and a decrease in the number of situations to which they can be applied. Finally, at the bottom of the triangle are laws and federal or state statutes and regulations. These are the most specific and clear-cut guides for ethical decision making, but they apply to (generally) the fewest situations and circumstances.