Response
The study concerning cheating by college students does not require an informed consent because of various reasons. First, an evaluation of students’ behavior during an examination is an educational practice that is necessary to establish behaviors associated with examination cheating. Students are aware of guidelines that restrict certain behaviors in an examination room. In this regard, they are likely to take caution to avoid cases of examination irregularity. Considering that students are aware of the consequences associated with certain behavior during an examination, the research does not expose them to any new risks.
Another aspect demonstrating that the research does not warrant an informed consent is the consideration that an informed consent may diminish the merits of the research. The experimental design for the research highlights the fact that providing students with indications concerning a study in which they are subjects could encourage them to alter their behavior so that it is no longer revealing. Furthermore, the lack of an informed consent ensures that the data obtained during the study does not reveal any sensitive information about the subjects.
The public health study concerning sanitary behaviors requires an informed consent. This research involves characteristics that the subjects may consider as an infringement of personal privacy. The researcher should consult with the subjects concerning the study and let them decide whether there are some aspects of the research that they wish to avoid. In this regard, participants should have an opportunity to evaluate various consequences associated with participating in the study. To obtain optimal results, the researcher should provide the subjects with an opportunity to encompass their preferences, values and goals in the research experiment.
An informed consent will allow the participants to evaluate the intended use of the information obtained during the study, and decide whether it may have negative effects on various aspects of their lives. Another consideration that promotes the need for an informed consent is the environment in which the research takes place. The conditions in the bathroom stall may have some restricting influences on the decisions of the subjects as they impose limits on individual choices.
Thus, the participants may alter their bathroom behaviors in consideration of the available resources. The lack of a capacity to make authentic decisions concerning participation in the research necessitates an informed consent.
Considering the nature of the research in the first case, an informed consent is not necessary. The research concerning cheating by students in a college entails a research design in which consent would have negative effects on the results of the experiment. In addition, the non-consent approach eliminates diverse aspects that could expose the subjects to various risks. The study concerning bathroom behavior requires an informed consent since the nature of the research exposes the subjects to various risks. The need for consent in this research is crucial in order to allow the subjects’ preferences, values and goals to influence the research.
I would feel comfortable participating in both studies as long as the first study does not incorporate an informed consent, and the second study entails an informed consent. In this regard, the two studies can be carried out to serve the interests of the subjects while eliminating various risks.
Reply
The research described by the discussion post does not expose the subjects to additional risks other than the risks considered as normal within the environment of concern. Thus, an informed consent is not necessary for the study. In fact, an informed consent may expose the subjects to several risks. In this regard, it does not serve the interests of the subjects. Furthermore, considering the nature of the research, the lack of an informed consent will facilitate the realization of satisfactory results. Undertaking the research without creating awareness among the subjects is the only approach that will promote the realization of candid results.
Suggesting that the subjects face harm by participating in the study will encourage them to avoid roles that may pose risks. Informing the subjects that they are under observation during the research will make them become extremely cautious to avoid incidences that may collide with their interests.
The lack of an informed consent will ensure there are no records that can allow the linking of sensitive information to particular subjects. Instead of employing costly measures that ensure that the collected information is safe, the researcher should adopt a non-consent approach. The board should not engage in acts that may influence the research process in relation to the preferences, goals and values of the subjects.
This is because the board may have personal interests in the study, which do not cater for the interests of the subjects. The study should allow the subjects to demonstrate their own will to participate in the study and ensure that the major influence over the study emanate from the subjects, and not other parties. Various considerations relating to this research do not warrant cooperation between the researcher and the subjects because this may have negative effects on the research process.