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Based on the principles of experimental design and research ethics, explain what steps the researchers must take next regarding the control group, and explain the moral reasoning behind this requirement.
Case context: Researchers are evaluating the efficacy of a new clinical counseling intervention designed to reduce depressive symptoms. They split participants into two groups: an experimental group that receives the counseling, and a control group that does not receive any treatment to serve as a baseline. At the conclusion of the study, the researchers find that the counseling intervention significantly reduced depressive symptoms.
Question: Based on the principles of experimental design and research ethics, explain what steps the researchers must take next regarding the control group, and explain the moral reasoning behind this requirement.
Sample answer: Since the counseling intervention was found to be beneficial, the researchers must offer the counseling treatment to the participants in the control group now that the study has concluded. This is required by the ethical principle of seeking justice, which ensures the fair distribution of research benefits so that the control group participants are not permanently deprived of a treatment that has been proven effective.
Key points:
- Offer the beneficial counseling treatment to control group participants after the study concludes.
- Identify that this action satisfies the ethical principle of seeking justice.
- Explain that this ensures a fair distribution of benefits among the participants.
Rubric: Grading criteria: The student must explain that the counseling treatment should now be offered to the control group participants because the study has ended and the treatment was shown to be beneficial. They must also explicitly link this requirement to the ethical principle of seeking justice and the goal of ensuring a fair distribution of benefits.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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