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In the context of research ethics and study design, explain the pitfall illustrated by Dr. Aris's initial risk assessment. Describe how the input from his collaborator helps address this pitfall, and identify what other types of individuals Dr. Aris should consult to ensure a proper risk assessment.
Case context: Dr. Aris is designing a laboratory experiment to study cognitive performance under time pressure. To create pressure, participants will be told their scores will be posted publicly in the department hallway, though Dr. Aris plans to delete their names before posting. Dr. Aris believes the study has no risks because he personally finds public performance charts motivating. However, a student collaborator points out that participants may feel highly anxious about public failure and that the hallway traffic might allow peers to identify who took the test at specific times.
Question: In the context of research ethics and study design, explain the pitfall illustrated by Dr. Aris's initial risk assessment. Describe how the input from his collaborator helps address this pitfall, and identify what other types of individuals Dr. Aris should consult to ensure a proper risk assessment.
Sample answer: Dr. Aris's assessment illustrates the pitfall where researchers underestimate or completely overlook potential risks (specifically psychological stress from public failure and confidentiality violations from peer identification) because of their own perspective. The collaborator's input helps correct this by highlighting hazards that Dr. Aris overlooked. To ensure a proper assessment, Dr. Aris should also seek input from experienced researchers and non-researchers, who can help gauge the severity of potential risks from the participant's perspective.
Key points:
- Explain that Dr. Aris underestimated or overlooked hazards (psychological stress or confidentiality violations) compared to how participants would perceive them.
- Explain how the collaborator's input brought to light risks that the primary researcher minimized or missed.
- State that the researcher should seek input from experienced researchers.
- State that the researcher should seek input from non-researchers.
- Explain that consulting these groups helps gauge the severity of risks from the participant's perspective.
Rubric: The response must explain that Dr. Aris underestimated/overlooked the psychological stress and confidentiality risks because researchers' perceptions of risk often differ from participants'. It must state how the collaborator's input identifies these overlooked hazards. Finally, it must list experienced researchers and non-researchers as the additional groups Dr. Aris should consult to properly gauge the risks from the participant's perspective.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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In the context of research ethics and study design, explain the pitfall illustrated by Dr. Aris's initial risk assessment. Describe how the input from his collaborator helps address this pitfall, and identify what other types of individuals Dr. Aris should consult to ensure a proper risk assessment.
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