91Ó°ÊÓ

Undue Influence? Undue influence in obtaining informed consent often occurs through an offer of an excessive or inappropriate reward or other overture in order to obtain compliance. Which of the following circumstances do you believe constitutes undue influence? Discuss. a. The students in a professor's class are told they will be given extra credit if they participate in a research study she is conducting. An alternative means of obtaining extra credit is available for students not wishing to participate. b. The students in a professor's class are told they will be given extra credit if they participate in a research study she is conducting. Extra credit is only available for students who choose to participate but will be awarded even if a student drops out of the study before it is completed. c. The students in a professor's class are told they will be given extra credit if they participate in a research study she is conducting. The extra credit will only be awarded to those students who continue in the study until it is finished.

Step by step solution

01

Understanding Undue Influence

Undue influence in obtaining informed consent refers to a situation where excessive or inappropriate rewards or overtones are provided to obtain someone's compliance. It is essential to identify if participants feel pressured to participate because the rewards seem too beneficial or if there are no alternatives.

02

Analyze Scenario A

In Scenario A, students are offered extra credit for participating in a study, but they can also earn extra credit through alternative means if they choose not to participate. This alternative option mitigates undue influence, as participation is not the only way to obtain the reward.

03

Analyze Scenario B

In Scenario B, extra credit is available only through participation in the research study. However, it is granted even if the student withdraws early. While there is an incentive, the flexibility to withdraw reduces the pressure, lessening the undue influence.

04

Analyze Scenario C

In Scenario C, students are offered extra credit, but only if they complete the entire study. This puts significant pressure on students to participate and continue, which constitutes an undue influence as they might feel compelled to comply to secure their grades.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Informed Consent

Informed consent is a fundamental part of ethical research. It means getting permission from participants after they fully understand what the research involves. Researchers need to provide clear and complete information about the study. This includes:

• The purpose of the research
• The procedures involved
• Any potential risks and benefits
• Alternatives available to not participating

Participants must be given enough information to decide whether or not they want to be involved. It is important they feel free to say "no" without any pressure or fear of consequences. In research, informed consent ensures that participation is voluntary and based on a clear understanding of what it entails. This process protects both the rights and the welfare of the participants involved.

Research Ethics

Research ethics are principles that guide researchers to conduct their studies responsibly and with integrity. At the core of research ethics is the respect for the dignity and rights of research participants. Ethical practices in research include:

• Ensuring voluntary participation through informed consent
• Protecting participants' privacy and confidentiality
• Avoiding conflicts of interest
• Being honest and transparent about the research
• Ensuring that all incentives do not coerce participation

In the exercise, research ethics would be compromised if the means of obtaining consent involved any undue influence. This means offering rewards that might unduly persuade someone to participate. Responsible researchers carefully consider incentives to ensure they do not overshadow the voluntary nature of participation.

Student Incentives

Student incentives are rewards given to students for participating in research. While incentives can motivate participation, it is vital they are balanced and ethical. If an incentive is too attractive, it could lead to undue influence, where participation is influenced more by the reward than a genuine interest in the study. When determining whether incentives are appropriate, consider:

• The fairness of the offered reward
• Availability of alternative methods to earn the same reward
• The overall impact of the incentive on the decision to participate

Using incentives, like extra credit, is common in educational settings. In Scenario A from the exercise, an alternative way to earn extra credit reduced the potential for undue influence, making it an ethical approach. In contrast, Scenario C required completion of the study to receive the reward, which could pressure students and raise ethical concerns about undue influence.