Introduction
The ethical considerations concerning using children as research participants are a profound concern for researchers and practitioners in numerous fields. Every social worker in a domestic violence shelter should consider ethical principles while planning activities for children. The research paper will delve into the Code of Ethics in relation to obtaining informed consent from minors who may participate in research, as well as addressing the issue of confidentiality and the right to withdraw from the study. The potential for harm to research subjects and the potential benefits of participating in the study will likewise be examined. Professional ethics is essential in pedagogy and therapy because they assist in building trust and interchange.
Obtaining Informed Consent from Children as Research Participants
One of the most essential subjects of concern is obtaining informed consent. It is a crucial ethical principle in research involving human subjects, as outlined in the Code of Ethics (Annas et al., 2021). Ethical principles are fundamental when working with children because, due to their age, their understanding or ability to make informed decisions differ from that of adults. Therefore, the social worker’s responsibility is to ensure that children and their caregivers are thoroughly informed about the nature of the research and their rights as participants. This includes being transparent about the study’s purpose, potential risks, and benefits and ensuring that the children and their caregivers understand and freely agree to participate (Overlien & Holt, 2019). In order to obtain informed consent, it may be necessary to provide information in a manner that is age-appropriate and understandable to the children and to allow ample time for questions and concerns to be raised and addressed.
It is also essential to ensure that the children and their caregivers are not being coerced or influenced in any way to participate in the study and that they can freely make their own decisions about whether or not to participate. By taking these steps, the social worker can ensure that the rights and well-being of the children and their caregivers are protected and that the research is conducted in an ethical and respectful manner.
Protecting Confidentiality
Confidentiality is a critical ethical principle that must be carefully considered when working with children and their families in a domestic violence shelter. This is because the children and their caregivers may be experiencing significant stress and trauma and may be particularly vulnerable to having their personal information disclosed without their consent. In order to protect the confidentiality of the children and their caregivers, it may be necessary to take a number of steps, such as using pseudonyms or other methods to conceal their identity (Kotzian et al., 2021). Anonymity will be maintained when taking notes, cleaning, and preparing data for storage, and disseminating results. Names or any other vital identifiers (Social Security number, date of birth) will not be used in the notes and file names to ensure the privacy of moms and children. Furthermore, there will be some forethought about what data needs to be collected, and only the required information will be asked of participants.
Moreover, the researchers must control who has access to the data and when. For privacy, data will not be collected and shared in cloud storage services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and One Drive. While cloud services make sharing information more accessible, researchers do not have complete control over the data stored in the cloud and expose study participants to data breaches and cyber threats (Sendil & Sonmez, 2020). Instead, consider using an external drive to store encrypted data and find more secure ways to share data (e.g., through secure file transfer services such as Hightail).
The Right to Withdraw from a Study
Except obtaining informed consent and protecting confidentiality, it is important to respect the right of participants to withdraw from the study at any time. This means that the children and their caregivers should be aware of their right to stop participating in the study and to have their data removed from the analysis if they choose. Participants will be informed in a following way: subject’s participation in the study is voluntary, and each participant may withdraw from the study at any time without any sanction or loss of the benefits due.
It may likewise be necessary to provide additional support or resources to the children and their caregivers if they decide to withdraw from the study to help them cope with any challenges or difficulties that may arise. I will ensure that the data is removed from the analysis and that their participation in the study is terminated. It is important that participants feel comfortable and make decisions about their part in the study solely (Sendil & Sonmez, 2020). By making it clear, the social worker can help ensure that the research is conducted in a way that respects the rights and autonomy of the children and their caregivers. This can also foster a sense of trust and respect between the social worker and the children and their caregivers, which can be an important factor in building positive relationships and promoting the children’s and their family’s well-being.
Minimizing Harm for Children Participating in a Research Study
While the potential for harm in research involving children is always a concern, it is particularly important to consider in the context of a domestic violence shelter where the children may already be experiencing trauma and stress. These children may be more vulnerable to experiencing additional harm as a result of participating in research, and it is therefore important to carefully evaluate the potential risks and benefits of the study before proceeding. To minimize the risk of harm, it may be necessary to take a number of precautions, such as providing additional support and resources to the children and their caregivers during the study, such as counseling or medical care (Annas et al., 2021). This may involve providing access to mental health services or connecting the children and their caregivers with other resources that can help to support their well-being.
Additionally, it may be necessary to carefully monitor the children for any adverse effects of the intervention and to stop the study if it is found to be harmful. This might involve regularly checking in with the children and their caregivers to assess their well-being and being prepared to make changes to the study or to stop it altogether if it is causing harm. By taking these steps, the social worker can help minimize the risk of harm to the children and their caregivers and ensure that the research is conducted responsibly and ethically.
The Potential Benefits of Play Therapy
Despite the risks, there may also be significant benefits gained from participating in research for the children and their families living in a domestic violence shelter. By participating in the study, the children may have the opportunity to access additional resources and support that may help to improve their well-being and reduce harm. It is evident that play therapy or other similar interventions are effective in reducing aggressive behavior (Kotzian et al., 2021). Additionally, the results of the study may contribute to a greater understanding of the needs and experiences of children living in domestic violence shelters. They may inform the development of more effective interventions to support their well-being.
This is particularly important because children living in domestic violence shelters may be at increased risk of experiencing a range of negative outcomes, including poor physical and mental health, social isolation, and difficulty in school. By participating in research, the children and their families may have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to the development of interventions that can help to improve the lives of children living in similar situations (Overlien & Holt, 2019). It should likewise make a positive impact on the larger community of social workers and other professionals who work with this population.
Conclusion
In conclusion, conducting research with children as participants requires careful consideration of ethical issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and potential harm. By following the Code of Ethics guidelines and taking steps to protect the rights and well-being of the children and their mothers, it is possible to conduct research ethically and responsibly. This may involve obtaining informed consent and ensuring confidentiality, being aware of the potential risks and benefits of the study and being transparent about the nature of the study and the rights of the participants. By following these ethical principles, it is possible to build trust, foster a collaborative relationship with the children and their mothers, and conduct research in a fair, respectful, and beneficial way to all involved.
References
Annas, G. J., Beisel, C. L., Clement, K., Crisanti, A., Francis, S., Galardini, M., Galizi, R., Grünewald, J., Immobile, G., Khalil, A. S., Müller, R., Pattanayak, V., Petri, K., Paul, L., Pinello, L., Simoni, A., Taxiarchi, C., & Joung, J. K. (2021). A code of ethics for gene drive research. The CRISPR Journal, 4(1), 19–24. Web.
Kotzian, P., Stöber, T., Weißenberger, B. E., & Hoos, F. (2021). Effective, but not all the time: Experimental evidence on the effectiveness of a code of ethics’ design. Business and Society Review, 126(2), 107–134. Web.
Overlien, C., & Holt, S. (2019). European research on children, adolescents and domestic violence: impact, interventions and innovations. Journal of family violence, 34(5), 365-369. Web.
Sendil, Ç. Ö., & Sonmez, S. (2020). Ethics in research including young children: Views and experiences of researchers. Electronic, 2(7), 9–14. Web.