Midterm Part II
LEAD 6341
Research Methods and Statistics
Midterm Exam Part II: Conceptual Problems (Open Book)
Spring, 2013
1) Very briefly discuss the history of ethical problems in research in the US. Describe how current research policies and practices reduce the likelihood of ethical problems arising from research today.
The Tuskegee study is an example of ethical problem in research in the US. The black subjects were promised medical care, meals, and burial insurance for their participation in the study. The research was unethical because the researchers failed to treat the patients appropriately. The subjects were never told they had syphilis nor they were treated for it. Instead they were told they were being treated for “bad blood”. Scientists withheld penicillin and presented participants in the study to get treatment from other programs in the area. The study continued for a period of 40 years until information was leaked to the press. Once it was revealed that the subjects had not been treated, the US changed laws and regulations to protect the subjects who participate in clinical studies. Now studies require an informed consent, communication of the diagnosis, and an accurate report of the test results. The victims of the Tuskegee study included children who had been born with congenital syphilis, the wives of the subjects who contracted the disease, and the men who died from the disease. Current research policies and practices have reduced the likelihood of ethical problems arising from research because before research begins, it must be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The boards ensure that the benefits to society outweigh the risks to the participants. An informed consent is also part of the ethical guidelines. Participants must get: • An explanation of the procedures
• A description of any risks or discomfort
• A description of the benefits to be expected
• Disclosure of any alternative procedures
• An offer to answer
Research Methods and Statistics
Midterm Exam Part II: Conceptual Problems (Open Book)
Spring, 2013
1) Very briefly discuss the history of ethical problems in research in the US. Describe how current research policies and practices reduce the likelihood of ethical problems arising from research today.
The Tuskegee study is an example of ethical problem in research in the US. The black subjects were promised medical care, meals, and burial insurance for their participation in the study. The research was unethical because the researchers failed to treat the patients appropriately. The subjects were never told they had syphilis nor they were treated for it. Instead they were told they were being treated for “bad blood”. Scientists withheld penicillin and presented participants in the study to get treatment from other programs in the area. The study continued for a period of 40 years until information was leaked to the press. Once it was revealed that the subjects had not been treated, the US changed laws and regulations to protect the subjects who participate in clinical studies. Now studies require an informed consent, communication of the diagnosis, and an accurate report of the test results. The victims of the Tuskegee study included children who had been born with congenital syphilis, the wives of the subjects who contracted the disease, and the men who died from the disease. Current research policies and practices have reduced the likelihood of ethical problems arising from research because before research begins, it must be reviewed by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). The boards ensure that the benefits to society outweigh the risks to the participants. An informed consent is also part of the ethical guidelines. Participants must get: • An explanation of the procedures
• A description of any risks or discomfort
• A description of the benefits to be expected
• Disclosure of any alternative procedures
• An offer to answer