Ethical Issues in Different Social Science Methods

Thc c~hical issues arising in social science research tend to vary as a func­ tion of the particular research methods employed. Fer-example, certain genres of social-psychological experiments have created ethical concerns because they involve mlsrecresenrarion of the purpose of the research to the partici­ pants or because they subject participants to stressful experiences. Some organi2ational or large-scale social experiments have been troubling because participation may be seen as damaging to the long-term interests of certain groups. Survey research has on occasion been criticized for probing into sensitive areas, such as sex, religion, or family relations. Participant observa­ tion research may constitute invasion ofpri\'acy, particularly when Invesuga­ lars I;aln access by misrepresenting themselves or make covert observations. Cross-cultural studies have been charged with exploitation of Third World populations and disrespect for their cu\lural values. I The purpose of the present chapter is to provide an overview ofthc types of ethical .ssues that confront the different methods used in social research. The overview is intended to be more than a checklist, ticking ofTthe problems that arise with each research method. but less than a comprehensive, overarching scheme for categorizing and organizing all orme problems. Instead, it takes the form ora rudimentary framework, designed to highlight some of the problems that willbe discussed more fully in subsequent chapters and to suggest possible relalionships between them. The framework is hsclf rcoreo in a social science analysis, relevant to our concern with problems ofsocial institutions [including the professions and the institution ofscientific research), of social relations, and oi'social control. This kind of analysis may provide a systematic basis for answering some of the questions that have bcen central to the debate about the ethics of social researeh. One is the question of the appropriateness of a risk-benefit analysis lO the ethical Issues that arise in social and behavioral research. Such an analysis mayor may no, be useful for biomedical research, but perhaps a modified version of risk-benefit analysis or an entirely difTerent approach­ such as an analysis in terms of rights (including, of course. the right to protec­