Research Ethics in Sociology: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

Question 1

Which of the following is a core principle of research ethics?

Accepted Answer

Researchers must obtain informed consent from participants before conducting research.

Answer

Researchers should prioritize their own interests over the well-being of participants.

Answer

Researchers can disclose participants' identities without their consent.

Question 2

Which of the following is a core ethical principle in sociological research?

Accepted Answer

Researchers must protect the privacy and confidentiality of participants' data.

Answer

Researchers should prioritize their own interests over the well-being of participants.

Answer

Informed consent is not necessary when researching vulnerable populations.

Answer

Deception is sometimes acceptable to gather valuable data.

Question 3

Which of the following is **not** an ethical principle in research?

Accepted Answer

Data Manipulation

Answer

Informed Consent

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 4

Which ethical principle ensures that research participants actively agree to participate in a study?

Accepted Answer

Informed Consent

Answer

Anonymity

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Data Protection

Question 5

Informed consent involves obtaining the permission of research participants prior to:

Accepted Answer

Data collection

Answer

Dissemination of findings

Answer

Data analysis

Question 6

Confidentiality in research refers to the researcher's obligation to:

Accepted Answer

Protect the privacy of participants

Answer

Obtain consent from participants

Answer

Report findings accurately

Answer

Use data responsibly

Question 7

What is the primary responsibility of ethical review boards in research?

Accepted Answer

Reviewing research proposals to ensure adherence to ethical guidelines

Answer

Disseminating research findings

Answer

Conducting research studies

Question 8

The Belmont Report is a significant document in research ethics that outlines:

Accepted Answer

Fundamental ethical principles in research involving human subjects

Answer

Procedures for informed consent

Answer

Guidelines for data protection

Question 9

The ethical principle of confidentiality in research involves:

Accepted Answer

Protecting the privacy of research participants by ensuring their data and personal information remain confidential unless they explicitly consent to its disclosure.

Answer

Maintaining the integrity and accuracy of the research data by preventing unauthorized access or alteration.

Question 10

A significant ethical concern that arises in research utilizing social media data includes:

Accepted Answer

Potential violations of privacy due to the collection and use of personal information without obtaining explicit informed consent from the individuals concerned.

Answer

Technical complexities associated with accessing and analyzing large volumes of social media data.

Answer

Data accuracy issues resulting from the self-selection of participants, which may lead to biased samples.

Question 11

The primary role of an ethical review board (ERB) in research is to:

Accepted Answer

Independently evaluate research proposals to ensure they adhere to ethical guidelines and protect the rights and well-being of participants.

Answer

Conduct the research themselves to guarantee its ethical integrity.

Question 12

In certain circumstances, researchers may consider deviating from ethical guidelines. However, which of the following is NOT a justifiable reason for such deviations?

Accepted Answer

Saving time and financial resources.

Answer

Addressing unforeseen events or circumstances that could not have been reasonably anticipated.

Answer

Protecting the safety, privacy, or well-being of research participants.

Answer

Gaining access to data that is essential for the research and cannot be obtained through other ethical means.

Question 13

When conducting research involving vulnerable populations, researchers have a particular ethical obligation to:

Accepted Answer

Obtain informed consent from participants in a manner that is sensitive to their vulnerabilities and ensures their full understanding of the research process.

Answer

Exclude vulnerable populations from the research to avoid any possible harm or exploitation.

Answer

Employ exclusively quantitative research methods to minimize the potential for emotional bias.

Question 14

Adhering to ethical guidelines in research brings several benefits. Which of the following is a key advantage?

Accepted Answer

Increased public trust and confidence in the validity and integrity of research findings.

Answer

Reduced costs and shorter research timelines.

Answer

Greater freedom to explore controversial or sensitive topics without fear of censure.

Question 15

The ethical principle of beneficence requires researchers to:

Accepted Answer

Strive to maximize the potential benefits of their research while minimizing any potential risks or harms to participants.

Answer

Provide financial incentives to participants as compensation for their involvement in the research.

Answer

Eliminate all possible risks to participants, ensuring their complete safety and well-being.

Question 16

Violating research ethics can have serious consequences. Which of the following is a potential outcome?

Accepted Answer

Loss of research funding, reputational damage, and potential legal repercussions.

Answer

Public acclaim and wider recognition of the researcher's work.

Answer

Enhanced credibility and recognition within the research community.

Answer

Increased career opportunities and professional advancement.

Question 17

Which ethical principle emphasizes obtaining voluntary, informed consent from participants?

Accepted Answer

Respect for Autonomy

Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Justice

Question 18

Which ethical consideration is essential to avoid causing harm to participants during research?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Respect for Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Question 19

When conducting research with vulnerable populations, which ethical concern arises due to potential power imbalances?

Accepted Answer

Exploitation

Answer

Deception

Answer

Fabrication

Answer

Plagiarism

Question 20

When researchers use deception in their study, which ethical concern becomes a priority?

Accepted Answer

Trust

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Validity

Answer

Objectivity

Question 21

What is the ethical duty of researchers to make their findings accessible and transparent to the public?

Accepted Answer

Disclosure

Answer

Honesty

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Objectivity

Question 22

Which ethical principle requires researchers to consider the potential long-term social and environmental implications of their work?

Accepted Answer

Responsibility

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 23

A researcher is studying the impact of social media on body image in young adults. They plan to analyze participants' social media posts. Which ethical principle is MOST directly violated if they fail to obtain explicit permission from participants before using their posts?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Anonymity

Answer

Data protection

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 24

A sociologist is interviewing individuals experiencing homelessness. They promise to keep all participant information private.  Which ethical principle is MOST prominently demonstrated by this promise?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Anonymity

Question 25

A researcher studying political activism observes and records conversations at a protest without informing the participants. Which ethical principle is MOST likely violated in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Data protection

Question 26

A study investigating the impact of poverty on mental health collects sensitive personal information about participants. Which ethical principle is MOST relevant to ensuring the responsible handling and storage of this information?

Accepted Answer

Data protection

Answer

Anonymity

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Objectivity

Question 27

A researcher studying the experiences of refugees in the UK anonymizes all collected data. This ensures no personal details can be linked to participants' identities. Which ethical principle is being addressed in this instance?

Accepted Answer

Anonymity

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Objectivity

Question 28

A researcher is planning a study on the impact of social class on educational attainment. They are concerned that their own biases might influence their research findings. Which ethical principle is MOST relevant to this concern?

Accepted Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Question 29

A research project on the impact of social media on mental health aims to raise awareness of mental health issues and encourage people to seek help. Which ethical principle is MOST closely aligned with this research goal?

Accepted Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Anonymity

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Objectivity

Question 30

Which scenario demonstrates a potential ethical conflict in sociological research?

Accepted Answer

A researcher uses data collected for a previous study on a different topic without getting informed consent from the original participants.

Answer

A researcher publishes a research paper using pseudonymized data to protect participant identities.

Question 31

Which of the following is NOT an ethical guideline typically adhered to in sociological research?

Accepted Answer

Using deceptive techniques to gather data without participant knowledge.

Answer

Maintaining confidentiality of participant information.

Answer

Obtaining informed consent from participants.

Question 32

A researcher studying the impact of gentrification on community cohesion needs to access sensitive information about residents' personal experiences. Which ethical considerations are MOST important for the researcher to address in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent, confidentiality, and data protection.

Answer

Anonymity, objectivity, and beneficence.

Answer

Objectivity, informed consent, and anonymity.

Question 33

Which of the following is a fundamental ethical principle in research, emphasizing the importance of honoring individuals' decision-making abilities?

Accepted Answer

Respect for autonomy

Answer

Ensuring anonymity

Answer

Protecting confidentiality

Answer

Minimizing harm

Question 34

When conducting research with vulnerable populations, which of the following is a crucial ethical concern?

Accepted Answer

Protecting participants from potential exploitation or harm

Answer

Ensuring equal compensation for participation

Answer

Obtaining written consent from legal guardians

Answer

Prioritizing anonymization of collected data

Question 35

Confidentiality in research primarily entails:

Accepted Answer

Preserving the privacy of participants and their sensitive information

Answer

Anonymizing data prior to analysis

Answer

Storing data in encrypted formats

Answer

Limiting access to research materials

Question 36

Which ethical principle, enshrined in the Belmont Report, focuses on the fair distribution of benefits and burdens in research?

Accepted Answer

Justice

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Respect for persons

Answer

Non-maleficence

Question 37

Which research practice is recommended to reduce bias and enhance the credibility of findings?

Accepted Answer

Triangulating data from multiple sources and employing diverse research methodologies

Answer

Prioritizing convenience sampling

Answer

Solely relying on quantitative data

Answer

Avoiding participant observation

Question 38

What is considered a violation of research ethics and academic integrity?

Accepted Answer

Plagiarism, or using others' ideas or work without proper attribution

Answer

Citing sources accurately

Answer

Adhering to confidentiality guidelines

Answer

Obtaining informed consent for research

Question 39

A researcher is studying the experiences of young people in care. They obtain consent from the young people's social workers, but not from the young people themselves. Which ethical principle has been violated?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Anonymity

Question 40

A sociologist is conducting interviews about domestic violence. They promise anonymity to participants but later publish a report that includes identifiable details about one participant. Which ethical principle has been breached?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Data protection

Question 41

A student researcher is using data collected by another researcher for their own project. They do not seek permission from the original researcher or inform participants about the secondary use of their data. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Breach of data protection regulations

Answer

Lack of informed consent

Answer

Confidentiality violation

Question 42

A researcher is studying the impact of social media on body image. They decide to use a focus group of young women who have previously expressed negative views about their bodies online. This approach raises concerns about:

Accepted Answer

Potential for psychological harm

Answer

Confidentiality breaches

Answer

Bias in the sample

Answer

Lack of informed consent

Question 43

Which of the following is NOT a key ethical principle in sociological research?

Accepted Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Data protection

Question 44

A researcher plans to study the experiences of refugees in a local community. They decide to use a pseudonym for each participant in their report. This is an example of:

Accepted Answer

Anonymity

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Data protection

Question 45

A research project involves observing interactions in a public park. Which ethical principle is MOST relevant in this scenario?

Accepted Answer

Data protection

Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Informed consent

Question 46

Which ethical guideline is MOST closely associated with ensuring that research findings are accurate and unbiased?

Accepted Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Informed consent

Answer

Data protection

Answer

Confidentiality

Question 47

A researcher is studying the social impact of a new housing development. They receive funding from a property developer who stands to benefit from positive findings. This scenario highlights the potential for:

Accepted Answer

Conflicts of interest

Answer

Lack of informed consent

Answer

Breaches of confidentiality

Answer

Violation of data protection

Question 48

Which ethical review board is responsible for overseeing research involving human participants in the United Kingdom?

Accepted Answer

National Research Ethics Service (NRES)

Answer

British Sociological Association (BSA)

Answer

University Ethics Committee