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Ethical Issues in Research and Practical Solutions I have chosen once again to focus on juvenile crime but the ethical issues that a researcher may face in conducting research on this subject could just as well be faced in undertaking research on other subjects too. If the research involves human participants at all then there will be several areas of concern that should be addressed. A major concern in any research study involving human subjects is the safety of the research participant. Researchers must be able to effectively assess the risk/benefit ratio of any research involving human participants (Callahan & Hobbs, 1998). Evaluation should be ongoing throughout the length of the study. Creswell (2009, p.87) underscores this issue as well but broadens it to cover the guarding against misconduct and impropriety. Codes of professional conduct must be adhered to. Of equal importance is the need to obtain informed consent of all research participants. This is especially important in an age where people are all too quick to press for litigation when they feel they have been deceived, violated, or abused in any way. Participants in research involving juvenile crime may already be victims in one way or another so it is very important to secure informed consent from all participants. When obtaining informed consent participants should have the opportunity to read and carefully consider the risks and benefits associated with the study. Once this has occurred the informed consent should be obtained in writing. Privacy and confidentiality must also be considered. Researchers must be sensitive to how information is protected from unauthorized observation (Callahan et. al., 1998). Callahan & Hobbs (1998) cite three primary principles from the Belmont Report, written by the National Commission for the Protection of Human Subjects of Biomedical and Behavioral Research in 1979. These principles deal with autonomy, beneficence, and justice. Any research involving human subjects, such as research on juvenile crime that might involve the interviewing of victims or perpetrators, must be careful to pay attention to these principles. Autonomy refers to the obligation on the part of the investigator to ensure that participants receive full disclosure of the nature of the study and any risks that may be associated with it. Additionally they must be provided the opportunity to ask questions. “The principle of autonomy finds expression in the informed consent document” (ibid). In research ethical issues that can result from failure to observe autonomy can be avoided by crafting a complete informed consent document. According to Callahan & (1998) that document must provide full disclosure, ensure the participants understand what has been explained, and ensure that participants are not coerced to participate. It must also be endorsed or signed when possible to authorize or denote consent on the part of the participant, and only be endorsed by someone that has been deemed to be competent. Beneficence refers to the obligation investigators have to maximize benefits of their research for both the participant and/or society while minimizing any risk or harm to the participant. Risks must be thoroughly explained and participants must be afforded an opportunity to ask questions, and if desired, withdraw from the study. In light of this it may be best to provide a verbal explanation of the research. That explanation can be given in the form of a statement that is read to each participant, or a video that participants are required to watch describing the research risks in detail. Justice refers to the equitable selection of subjects or participants. Populations that can be coerced into participating, such as prisoners or mental patients, should be avoided. Since research on juvenile crime can indeed involve the participation of detained subjects, care must be given to ensure they are not coerced in any way. Creswell (2009) points out that care must also be taken to ensure that the inquirer does not further marginalize or disempower the study participants. He suggests the use of pilot studies to establish trust and respect with the participants so inquirers can detect any marginalization before the proposal is developed and the study is begun (p.88). These are things that can be done to anticipate ethical issues but the best anticipation does not negate the need for all such research to be authorized by an Internal Review Board. While there may be some research studies that may be eligible for exemption from the IRB, it is best have the proposed study reviewed and authorized. References Callahan, T.C., PhD. & Hobbs, R. (1998). Research ethics [Article]. Retrieved from University of Washington website: http://depts.washington.edu/bioethx/topics/resrch.html#ques1 Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches, 3rd ed. Los Angeles, CA: Sage.