Question

a researcher at a canadian institution eligible to receive agency funding wishes to determine the frequency of cannabis consumption among high school students in canada. the researcher will create a website that includes a secure link to a survey for students wishing to participate in the research. for scientific reasons, only students who have already used cannabis will be invited to participate and respond anonymously to the survey (please answer all questions by yes or no).the researcher wishes to compare the frequency of cannabis consumption depending on the sex and gender of the students. is such an analysis ethically acceptable? no yes

Answer 1

The ethical acceptability of analyzing cannabis consumption frequency based on sex and gender among high school students in Canada must be evaluated for voluntary participation, confidentiality, informed consent, and potential risks versus societal benefits. The research ethics board should be consulted to ensure compliance with ethical standards.

Step-by-step explanation:

Whether the analysis of cannabis consumption frequency depending on the sex and gender of high school students in Canada is ethically acceptable should be carefully considered by the ethics review board of the researcher's institution. When conducting research involving human subjects, especially minors, ethical concerns such as voluntary participation, non-coercive recruitment, confidentiality, minimizing risks, and ensuring the potential of yielding important societal benefits must be addressed.

The scenario suggests that the survey is anonymous, which can protect the privacy of participants. However, the ethical acceptability also hin_ges on other factors such as informed consent, fair subject selection, and an assessment of the risks and benefits of the study. Specific measures to ensure ethical conditions, like obtaining consent from parents or guardians since the participants are minors, could be necessary. Consulting with an institutional review board or human subject committee is a vital step for the researcher.

Analyses based on sensitive data like drug use should also take into account the impact of societal stigma, the accuracy of reporting, and the possibility of response bias based on how the information is collected. A clear and transparent research protocol that adheres to ethical standards is crucial for the integrity and validity of research outcomes in sociological studies.