Research Ethics in Legal Research: A Comprehensive Guide for Master's Students

Question 1

Which of the following is an unethical practice in legal research?

Accepted Answer

Sensationalism and exaggeration

Answer

Accuracy and integrity

Answer

Respect for intellectual property rights

Question 2

In legal research, what ethical principles and measures should researchers prioritize to safeguard the privacy and confidentiality of participants?

Accepted Answer

Obtain informed consent, anonymize data, and limit access to authorized personnel.

Answer

Make data publicly available and inform participants of their rights.

Question 3

In academic research, plagiarism refers to:

Accepted Answer

Using another person's work without proper citation, whether intentional or not.

Answer

Copying another person's work verbatim.

Answer

Using a small portion of another person's work without citation.

Question 4

Which of the following actions is NOT an ethical obligation of researchers regarding data privacy?

Accepted Answer

Sharing data with parties outside the research team without authorization

Answer

Encrypting sensitive data

Answer

Obtaining informed consent from data subjects

Answer

Properly disposing of data after its intended use

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a fundamental ethical consideration in legal research?

Accepted Answer

Presenting biased findings

Answer

Avoiding plagiarism

Answer

Respecting confidentiality

Answer

Pursuing accurate and objective results

Question 6

What is the primary purpose of the 'fair use' provision in copyright law?

Accepted Answer

To allow limited use of copyrighted material without consent

Answer

To safeguard creators' exclusive control over their works

Answer

To guarantee public access to all works

Answer

To prevent unauthorized reproduction

Question 7

In legal research, which action is ineffective for resolving ethical conflicts?

Accepted Answer

Ignoring ethical implications

Answer

Consulting mentors or peers

Answer

Weighing ethical principles

Question 8

What is the primary responsibility of research ethics committees?

Accepted Answer

Safeguarding the rights of research participants

Answer

Ensuring the validity of research

Answer

Granting approval for research funding

Question 9

Which of these is **NOT** a core ethical principle in legal research?

Accepted Answer

Compliance with funding agency regulations

Answer

Honesty and integrity

Answer

Objectivity and impartiality

Answer

Respect for participants' rights and privacy

Question 10

In research involving human participants, which ethical consideration should be prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Obtaining informed consent

Answer

Ensuring data security

Answer

Maintaining confidentiality

Answer

Guaranteeing anonymity

Question 11

Which characteristic is NOT associated with ethical research?

Accepted Answer

Bias

Answer

Objectivity

Answer

Transparency

Answer

Rigor

Question 12

Which ethical principle emphasizes the utmost importance of protecting the privacy of individuals involved in research?

Accepted Answer

Confidentiality

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of responsible research practices?

Accepted Answer

Compromising research standards to meet deadlines

Answer

Honesty and transparency

Answer

Rigor and accuracy

Answer

Respect for research participants

Question 14

Under which ethical principle are researchers obligated to minimize harm to research participants?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Beneficence

Answer

Autonomy

Answer

Justice

Question 15

Which of the following is not a potential consequence of plagiarism?

Accepted Answer

Improved academic standing

Answer

Loss of marks or degree

Answer

Damage to personal reputation

Answer

Expulsion from university

Question 16

Which category of works are protected under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988?

Accepted Answer

Literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic

Answer

Historical and philosophical

Answer

Medical and legal

Answer

Scientific and technical

Question 17

What is a fundamental principle of informed consent?

Accepted Answer

Participants must be fully informed of any potential risks or benefits of participating in the research.

Answer

Obtaining consent is a formality and can be done without explanation.

Answer

Vulnerable participants may consent without a witness present.

Question 18

What is the primary role of an ethics committee in research?

Accepted Answer

To review and approve research proposals, ensuring they adhere to ethical standards and regulations.

Answer

To enforce research regulations and policies.

Answer

To conduct independent research studies.

Question 19

What is the primary purpose of the Data Protection Act 2018?

Accepted Answer

To protect individuals' personal data by regulating its use and processing.

Answer

To promote academic freedom and research

Answer

To prevent copyright infringement and plagiarism.

Question 20

What is the ethical principle of beneficence?

Accepted Answer

Balancing benefits and risks to maximize benefits and minimize harm to research participants

Answer

Respecting participants' right to make decisions about their involvement in research.

Answer

Distributing research benefits equally among participants.

Question 21

Which of the following is a potential ethical concern in research involving sensitive topics?

Accepted Answer

Potential for psychological distress to participants.

Answer

Time constraints imposed on the research project.

Answer

Technical challenges in data collection.

Answer

Insufficient funding for the research.

Question 22

What should a researcher do when faced with an ethical dilemma in research?

Accepted Answer

Seek guidance from experienced colleagues, supervisors, or ethics committees.

Answer

Rely solely on personal judgment.

Answer

Ignore the ethical concerns.