Question

The instructor of an introductory sociology class asks his students to fill out a questionnaire that he hopes to analyze and eventually publish. He tells his students that if they choose not to fill out the questionnaire, they will have points deducted from their next test. Which golden rule(s) of research does this situation violate? How could this ethical breach cause harm, and to whom? Revise the study, offering one suggestion of how the instructor could handle the situation in a more ethical manner.

Answer 1

- The instructor clearly violates the rule of voluntary participation. It is rights of the student to decide about the participation in the study without being penalized.

- To not participate would mean their grade would hurt and so if they disagreed with participation, the students would have to choose between participating and losing points on their grade.

- Participation by the entire class will give the students a bonus on their grade. No one will be punished for not participating and data collection will be anonymous.

Step-by-step explanation:

Voluntary participation is mandatory while conducting the study. Students should have their rights to decide about their participation in the study. They should not be forced.

Instead, the instructor can handle the situation by this way. He would have told that the students would be rewarded if the whole class participates in the study.

The data provided by the students will be maintained anonymously. To ensure that students can send their questionnaires through mail or drop it in a box that is placed outside their classroom.

This kind of approach can encourage the students to participate in the study.