Question

Program evaluation activities do not constitute research for the purposes of TCPS 2.

a) True
b) False

Answer 1

Program evaluation activities can be considered research under TCPS 2, debunking the statement as false. Data that does not support a hypothesis still provides valuable information, and experimentation is not the only valid scientific investigation method.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that program evaluation activities do not constitute research for the purposes of TCPS 2 is false. The Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2) recognizes program evaluation as a form of research when it contributes to knowledge, which typically requires ethics review. On the matters of scientific investigation, data that does not support a hypothesis is indeed useful as it can refine or dismiss a hypothesis, thereby contributing to the scientific body of knowledge. Additionally, experimentation is not the only valid type of scientific investigation. There are other valid methods including observational studies, case studies, and simulations among others that also contribute valuable scientific insights, and these methods are recognized in various disciplines.

Answer 2

Program evaluation activities often constitute research under TCPS 2 and must be considered for ethical review; data that does not support a hypothesis is still valuable, and experimentation is not the sole valid type of scientific investigation.

Step-by-step explanation:

When it comes to program evaluation activities, the statement that they do not constitute research for the purposes of TCPS 2 (Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans) can be considered false. Program evaluation may include research activities, particularly when it involves systematic investigation to establish facts or principles or to collect information on which to base decisions for public policy or management. Therefore, these evaluations can sometimes be subject to ethical review under the TCPS 2 guidelines.

Data that does not support a hypothesis is not necessarily useless; on the contrary, it is invaluable because it can provide insights into new questions, challenge existing assumptions, or suggest alterations to the hypothesis itself. Meanwhile, the statement that experimentation is the only valid type of scientific investigation is false. There are many other valid methods of scientific investigation, including observational studies, correlational research, longitudinal studies, and case studies among others.

Experimentation indeed allows for robust cause-and-effect claims, but these claims must be carefully contextualized as experiments can have limitations, such as ethical concerns, practical limitations, or artificial conditions that do not reflect real-world complexities.