Counseling Research: Ethics and Issues

Abstract

This article focuses on the areas of ethics and issuesDilemma. A researcher, wanting to measure the effect of shame and guilt on participants' willingness to self-disclose, used a tachistoscope to subliminally present messages such as, "You smell awful" and "We hate you." Such research, which focuses on the induction of negative affect, confronts the researcher with an ethical dilemma. Is it possible to protect the dignity and worth of the participant when using aversive stimuli? How can researchers satisfy their need to know and at the same time ensure the welfare of participants?

Marriage and Family Therapy Research: Ethical Issues and Guidelines

“…Qualitative research, because it is not quantified by numbers, is particularly prone to misinterpretation (Demi & Warren, 1995). Overstepping the bounds of interpretation, either by making broad statements based on small samples, or by distorting the data or analysis so that significance is reached is another practice that must be avoided (Robinson & Gross, 1986). Finally, researchers are committing an oversight when they neglect to report ethical procedures, dilemmas, and resolutions (Robinson & Gross 1986), such as those listed in these guidelines.…”

“…Overstepping the bounds of interpretation, either by making broad statements based on small samples, or by distorting the data or analysis so that significance is reached is another practice that must be avoided (Robinson & Gross, 1986). Finally, researchers are committing an oversight when they neglect to report ethical procedures, dilemmas, and resolutions (Robinson & Gross 1986), such as those listed in these guidelines. To avoid these mistakes, researchers seeking to publish should double-check data entry and analysis, report all findings that impact the hypothesis, whether negatively or positively, report ethical procedures used, and not exaggerate the significance or generalizability of the findings.…”

“…Deception is also unethical because it does not treat participants fairly; for the research participant, deception is "misinformed consent" (Lindsey, 1984, p. 83). The use of deception violates the autonomy of the participants by not allowing them information upon which to base their decision to participate in research or to respond to procedures (Diener & Crandall, 1978;Robinson & Gross, 1986). Although it is possible to argue that participants could agree to be deceived in their informed consent, and thus render deception an autonomous decision (Lawson, 1995), family therapy researchers must consider their vulnerable population, and the fact that people came to them for assistance.…”

Teaching Research Integrity in the Field of Counseling

“…Thus, knowing that the drive for evidence-based practice will continue to increase the need for research, and that QRPs exist, the profession as a whole needs to take a more proactive approach in promoting research integrity. Robinson and Gross (1986) suggested, "Regardless of the research domain, ethical issues such as informed consent, confidentiality and privacy, . .…”

“…Although Robinson and Gross (1986) suggested this 2 decades ago, research integrity has yet to be fully incorporated into the counseling literature, educational tools, and textbooks. One possible reason for the lack of attention to research integrity in the literature, and possibly in the classroom, is the lack of attention paid to teaching and training students in this area.…”