When attempting to plan research with special populations,

When attempting to plan research with special populations,

3) Paul Hoffman

Re: Topic 1 DQ 2 (Obj. 1.1, 1.3, and 1.4)

When attempting to plan research with special populations, whether it is children, elderly, mentally ill, etc., there are bound to be ethical dilemmas that the counselor might face. There have been different opinions about special populations participation in research and can be attributed to their inability to give informed consent and also their need for further protection and sensitivity from the researcher as they are in greater risk of being deceived, forced or threatened to participate. Most individuals condition their responses according to the seriousness of the research, the level of potential risks and the availability of alternatives (Haas & Malouf, 2002). Researchers, Burns and Grove, stated that vulnerability increases the need for justification for the use of such participants. Principles of ethical research that should be involved is that an intense analysis of potential risks and benefits should be the first step of starting such a research and careful approach should exist both in acquiring consent and during the research procedure itself. Individuals with diminished autonomy are also more vulnerable to invasion of privacy, since their right to privacy is limited in contrast to other’s right to know. In the case of mentally ill, it is important to measure comprehension and develop valid tools for it, before obtaining informed consent to participate in a research study (Burns & Grove, 2005).

Burns N., & Grove, S. K. (2005). The practice of clinical research: Conduct, critique, and utilization, (5th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Saunders.

Haas, L.J., & Malouf, J.L. (2002). Keeping up the good work: A practitioner’s guide to mental health ethics (3rd ed.). Sarasota, FL: Professional Resource Press.