Ethics in Research: Abused Abuser - Essay Example

? Ethics in Research Ethics in Research The study on the “Abused Abuser” focused on a matter the touches on children s and a topic that is both sensitive and ethically volatile. Child abuse particularly of a sexual nature is a subject requires the application of various ethical safeguards as understood within the framework of the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Generally, IRB recognizes the fact that human subjects are bestowed certain rights and privileges that should not be meddled with without justifiable reasons (Bankert & Amdur, 2006). The same framework also embraces the need to conduct studies and researches that may involve human subjects for the purposes of serving some higher goals of a social or an academic nature. The subject matter required a high level of confidentiality. Exposure of certain subjects or identities of persons involved in the research would adversely affect their freedoms, rights to privacies, and other concerns that touched on the sensitive aspects of the participants. In line with requirements spelt out in Institutional Review Board (IRB), the research this research had to train some sufficient focus on some specific aspects of life that required the provision of safeguards to guard against any risks that the research would pose to the people involved in the study (Barsky, 2009). The nature of this research is that it touched on children and on the topic of sexual abuse. The topic of social abuse has the potential of rousing various forms of sentiments, which affect the lives of children in various ways. On this note, it becomes important to consider the fact that most of the issues mentioned in the research necessarily relate to the manner in which human subjects are treated within the course of the study. Ethical considerations in the treatment of child subjects are generally governed by various congressional legislations that moderate and regulate the manner and methods that are to be used in the carrying out of the research process (Mazur, 2007). Generally, conducting of research work is essentially concerned with processes and methods that affect the comfort and dignity of the human subjects concerned with the research. On this score, the IRB often spells out certain limitations that regulate the methods to be used in the conduction of the research as understood within the framework of human subjects. Children have weak sensibilities. They do not have clarity of assessments that could shield them from the adverse aspects of study. As such, they require special protections from the law in order to protect them from unethical research practices. The subject of sex is often treated with stigma in many societies. The stigma becomes even more complicated whenever it includes the element of abuse. Psychological trauma, stress, and, general discomfort are some of the consequences that are likely result from the mishandling of the subject of sexual abuse with regard to the underage children (Barsky, 2009). This is because the children have not developed the necessary mental defenses that could help them deal with the distressing nature of the research. Therefore, the IRB requires that the choice of the research methods must be guided with the nature of the subjects. For instance, it would be highly unethical to subject children to interviews that involve some distressing experiences that they could have undergone at some point in their lives. Such research actions could turn out to be particularly distressing on the psychological balance of the children. At this instance, it is important to consider the fact that the need to protect underage children from the perils of research is necessarily related to the need to revamp the systems in order to determine the essence of use and need as understood together with the multiple ethical and moral perspectives that relate to the subject matter. The IRB requires that the methods to be used in the study be examined before the study in order to prevent the subjecting the underage children to the challenges of the study (Bankert & Amdur, 2006). Another important task of the IRB is that it determines the procedures and nature of disclosure of results of studies and researches concerning human subjects. The disclosure of information relating to the human subjects must be handled with sufficient regard to the ethical dimensions of their identities. The nature of the report might compromise their status in the society or impose on them certain social pressures that effectively compromise their positions within certain aspects of life. Sometimes, such issues attract lawsuits that impose restrictions on some or whole sections of the study upon completions. In line with the requirements of the IRB, the decision to disclose or carry out a research or any kind of an academic inquiry that involves human subjects must be considered through a balance of options (Bankert & Amdur, 2006). Such balances are usually weighed in terms of the risks involved against the likely advantages to the general public and other intended beneficiaries. On this score, it might be argued that the stipulations of IRB regarding the ethics of carrying out a research, study, and other kinds of academic inquiries are regarded with some aspect of a utilitarian methodology. Generally, it might be necessary to consider the fact that some of the specifications relating to ethical considerations are regarded within the general guidelines of the IRB concerning the protection of human subjects. The study on the “Abused Abuser” is sensitive in the sense that it explores matters that deal with the delicate subject of sexuality. In this sense, it would be important to consider the fact that some of the issues raised within the study have far-reaching ramifications to groups and individuals that are mentioned in the study. However, the question of sexual abuse is weighty and deserves the attention of the methods and means prescribed in the IRB to determine the methods of handling its merits and demerits. Generally, the question of sexual abuse requires deeper reflections in order to establish the dimensions of its occurrence and possible ways of mitigating its adverse effects on the society. The matter of sexual abuse and other forms of child abuse should be considered in light of their increasing prevalence and variations in manifestation in the contemporary world. Child abuse remain one of the most common dangers that continuously afflict urban societies, schools, families, and other places and organizations where children are related. Technological innovations have made it even more complicated for the detection of trends of the subject. As a result, there is the need to develop strategies and methods that could help in determining the trends and patterns of the challenges with specific regard to the rights of children. In this manner, some of the issues that affect the development of a unified approach are necessarily related to the developments that take place in within the social discourse. Therefore, the ethical value of carrying out this research could be defended from the perspective of merits (Sieber, 1992). The risks involved in carrying out this study are lesser in magnitude as compared to the enormous advantages that it could make possible to the society. However, the ethical value of the research should be considered from the point of view of determining the value and nature of change as it relates to the challenges that face the determination of issues that appertain to the study. In general, determining the direction of action should be regarded in terms of the catering for societal needs while protecting the interests of the people involved in the study. Ethical considerations in research are necessary for the purpose of maintain the moral purpose of academic efforts and ensuring discipline and protection of human subjects involved in the study. Some studies that require the participation of human subjects may pose significant dangers and risks to the people involved (Sieber, 1992). It is for this reason that all studies must be conducted in ways that respond well to individual and group needs. It is also necessary to protect organizations from the disrepute of conducting unethical practices that endanger the interests of the participants. In this sense, it is necessary to consider the fact that some of the issues that relate to the study of human subjects are often controlled by stringent controls, which are meant to ensure standards and safety of the persons involved directly or indirectly by the research. Studies and researches must align their processes against the yardsticks developed by the IRB in order to shield individuals and groups from the adverse consequences of the studies. References Bankert, E., A. & Amdur, R., J. (2006). Institutional Review Board: Management And Function. New York: Jones & Bartlett Learning. Barsky, A., E. (2009). Ethics and Values in Social Work: An Integrated Approach for a Comprehensive Curriculum. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Mazur, D., J. (2007). Evaluating the Science and Ethics of Research on Humans: A Guide for IRB Members. New York: Johns Hopkins University Press. Sieber, J. E. (1992). Planning Ethically Responsible Research: A Guide for Students and Internal Review Boards. London: SAGE. Read More