Case Study

Based on the APA Ethics Code guidelines for recording voices and images, explain why Dr. Aris's proposed study does not qualify for the naturalistic observation exception, and describe what she must change or do to conduct this study ethically.

Case context: Dr. Aris wants to study nonverbal behavior in public libraries. She plans to set up a hidden video camera to record library visitors browsing books. She does not plan to obtain informed consent beforehand because libraries are public spaces. However, the camera resolution is high enough that she can clearly identify individual visitors, and she plans to share these video clips at a local psychology conference.

Question: Based on the APA Ethics Code guidelines for recording voices and images, explain why Dr. Aris's proposed study does not qualify for the naturalistic observation exception, and describe what she must change or do to conduct this study ethically.

Sample answer: Dr. Aris's study does not qualify for the naturalistic observation exception because the recordings allow for personal identification, which she intends to display at a conference. To make this study ethical, she must either ensure that personal identification is impossible (e.g., by pixelating faces, capturing video from angles where individuals cannot be identified, and not sharing identifiable clips) or she must obtain informed consent from the library visitors before recording them.

Key points:

  • The study fails the naturalistic observation exception because participants can be personally identified.
  • Sharing identifiable clips at a conference violates the requirement that personal identification or harm is unanticipated.
  • To resolve this, the researcher must obtain informed consent from participants prior to recording.
  • Alternatively, the researcher must modify the design to guarantee that personal identification is not possible.

Rubric: The response should demonstrate comprehension of the exceptions by: 1) identifying that the naturalistic observation exception fails because personal identification is anticipated or possible; 2) suggesting a valid corrective action, such as obtaining prior informed consent or modifying the methodology to guarantee anonymity.

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Updated 2026-05-27

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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU

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