Research & Statistical in Education
DTE-542
Teacher: Dr. Asim
Q1:copy the provided Research Case related to the ethics to your group.
2:You will identify the unethical practices mentioned in the provided research
case, analyze why these aspects are unethical? You will identify which ethical
principles were compromised and why?????
3:write a detail account how you going to conduct the same research while
applying ethical principles in order to make the topic ethical?
1: COPY OF THE RESEARCH CASE (SHORT RESTATEMENT)
A university researcher composed course-related music with an emerging
musician and taught a culturally sensitive topic to undergraduates. Students were
split into two groups: one taught using the composed music, the other by lecture.
The researcher compared student feedback and exam scores across groups.
2: Ethical Analysis of the Research Case
1. Unethical Practices in the Case
In the original study, several ethical issues can be identified:
No Informed Consent: Students were divided into groups without being
properly informed or asked for permission.
Lack of Voluntary Participation: Participation appeared compulsory, tied to
their coursework, leaving students with no real choice.
Risk of Academic Disadvantage: One group was taught through music
while the other relied only on lectures. If one method proved weaker, that
group’s exam results could suffer.
Cultural Insensitivity: The study involved “culturally sensitive topics” but
there was no mention of involving students or experts to ensure respectful
treatment.
No Privacy Protection: Students’ feedback and exam scores were collected
and compared without any mention of confidentiality or anonymity.
These practices placed students at risk of harm, unfair treatment, and lack of
respect for their rights as participants.
Ethical Principles Compromised
The following ethical principles were compromised in the original case:
Respect for Autonomy: Students had no choice or freedom to withdraw.
Justice: Unequal learning opportunities meant unfair treatment between
groups.
Beneficence: The study did not maximize potential benefits for all
participants.
Non-Maleficence: The possibility of harming students academically was
ignored.
Confidentiality: Students’ data was not protected or anonymized.
Cultural Sensitivity: Diverse cultural perspectives were not respected in the
design of materials.
Ethics Approval: Researcher obtained approval from university ethics
committee.
Informed Consent: Students were given full details of the study and joined
voluntarily.
Voluntary Participation: Students could refuse or withdraw without
academic penalty.
Cultural Sensitivity: Learning materials were designed with student and
cultural expert input to avoid stereotypes.
Fairness (Justice): Both groups later received access to both teaching
methods so no one was disadvantaged.
Confidentiality: Feedback and exam scores were collected anonymously;
results reported in aggregate only.
Non-Maleficence: Researcher monitored impact to ensure no harm to
students’ performance or wellbeing.
Beneficence: Findings and resources were shared with all students to
maximize benefits.
3:Ethical Plan for My Research
1. Informed Consent – I will give participants clear information, use simple
consent forms, and allow them to withdraw anytime.
2. Privacy & Confidentiality – I will keep data anonymous, use codes instead of
names, and store information securely.
3. Non-Maleficence – I will design my study to avoid physical, emotional, or
social harm; provide support if sensitive issues arise.
4. Beneficence – I will ensure my research benefits both participants and
society; share results and feedback responsibly.
5. Justice – I will select participants fairly, avoid exploitation, and take extra
care when working with vulnerable groups.
6. Transparency & Honesty – I will not falsify or hide data, will acknowledge
limitations, and give proper credit to all contributors.
7. Responsible Use of Resources – I will use resources ethically, avoid conflicts
of interest, and ensure accountability.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, I will conduct my research in full alignment with established
international ethical guidelines. By ensuring informed consent, confidentiality,
non-maleficence, beneficence, justice, transparency, and accountability, I will
protect the dignity and rights of all participants. These principles reflect the
standards set by the Belmont Report (1979), the Declaration of Helsinki (World
Medical Association, 2013), and the American Psychological Association’s Ethical
Principles (APA, 2017). Following these frameworks not only safeguards
participants but also ensures that my research remains credible, responsible, and
beneficial to society.
References:
American Psychological Association. (2017). Ethical principles of
psychologists and code of conduct. APA. [Link]
National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical
and Behavioral Research. (1979). The Belmont Report: Ethical principles and
guidelines for the protection of human subjects of research. U.S.
Department of Health & Human Services.
[Link]
World Medical Association. (2013). WMA Declaration of Helsinki: Ethical
principles for medical research involving human subjects. WMA.
[Link]
principles-for-medical-research-involving-human-subjects/