Assingments % - Ethical Dilemmas in Research: Balancing Personal and Professional Responsibilities

Present the ethical dilemma of your Research PaperR topic and how you will handle the issue personally and professionally, expressing clearly the factors that influence your decisions in both. Presentations will be graded for content, clarity, and audience engagement. You may do either either a Poster or PowerPoint presentation. Poster Presentation templates are available on the Internet.

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Ethical Dilemma:

The ethical dilemma in my research paper revolves around privacy and informed consent in conducting research involving human subjects. In my paper, I am examining the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. As part of this, I must consider how to handle data that is collected from social media platforms or interviews with minors. Specifically, the dilemma lies in ensuring that participants provide genuine informed consent and that their privacy is respected, especially in the digital age where personal data is often vulnerable to misuse.

Personal Handling:

Personally, I am deeply concerned about the protection of participant privacy. I would ensure that all personal information remains confidential, and I would take extra care to explain to participants (and their guardians, if minors) the exact nature of the study and how their data would be used. Since social media can often blur the lines between private and public information, I would carefully consider whether any data is too sensitive or invasive to use. If I have any doubts about the ethical implications of using certain data, I would err on the side of caution and not include it in my research.

I would also ensure that all participants are voluntarily participating and fully understand their rights, including the ability to withdraw at any time without consequence. This would be a priority, as I believe it’s important to respect individual autonomy in research settings.

Professional Handling:

Professionally, I would adhere to the ethical guidelines established by my institution and relevant research ethics boards, such as obtaining formal IRB approval (Institutional Review Board). This would ensure that the research complies with all legal and ethical requirements. Additionally, I would conduct a thorough risk assessment to evaluate potential harms to participants, and I’d take proactive measures to minimize any risks associated with the collection and use of sensitive data.

Furthermore, as part of professional ethics, I would transparently report any conflicts of interest and avoid presenting biased results that could be influenced by personal opinions or external pressures. Ensuring integrity in data collection and honesty in reporting are essential professional standards I would uphold throughout the research process.

Factors Influencing My Decisions:

Ethical Principles: The core principles of respect for autonomy, non-maleficence (doing no harm), beneficence (promoting well-being), and justice will guide my decisions both personally and professionally.
Privacy and Confidentiality: My decisions will heavily rely on protecting participant privacy, especially when dealing with sensitive social media data.
Legal Compliance: Adhering to the laws and institutional guidelines concerning data protection (e.g., GDPR, HIPAA) will shape my approach to data management.
Trustworthiness: Maintaining trust with my participants is critical to ensure their ongoing participation and confidence in the research process.

Presentation Format:

I will choose a PowerPoint presentation for this topic, as it allows me to visually present the ethical dilemma, my personal and professional handling of it, and the factors influencing my decisions. I will incorporate slides with key points, ethical guidelines, and an outline of the measures I will take to ensure ethical conduct. The slides will be designed for clarity and engagement, with visuals (such as ethical guidelines charts or a flow diagram of the informed consent process) to keep the audience interested.

In the presentation, I will:

Introduce the ethical dilemma clearly and concisely.
Discuss the personal and professional approaches to handling the dilemma.
Explain the factors that influence my decisions, using real-world examples.
Encourage audience engagement by asking questions and providing interactive scenarios.

This format will ensure the content is both informative and engaging for the audience, while remaining grounded in ethical and professional principles.