Conducting experiments with humans

Experiments are studies involving intervention by the researcher beyond that required for measurement. The usual intervention is to manipulate some variable in a setting and observe how it affects the subjects being studied (e.g., people or physical entities). The researcher manipulates the independent or explanatory variable and then observes whether the hypothesized dependent variable is affected by the intervention.

Discuss what essential characteristics distinguish a true experiment from other research designs.

Evaluate what ethical problems you see in conducting experiments with humans. Experiments are studies involving intervention by the researcher beyond that required for measurement. The usual intervention is to manipulate some variable in a setting and observe how it affects the subjects being studied (e.g., people or physical entities). The researcher manipulates the independent or explanatory variable and then observes whether the hypothesized dependent variable is affected by the intervention. What essential characteristics distinguish a true experiment from other research designs? What ethical problems do you see in conducting experiments with humans?

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Essential characteristics of a true experiment

A true experiment is a research design that has the following essential characteristics:

  • Random assignment: The participants are randomly assigned to the experimental group or the control group. This ensures that the two groups are as similar as possible at the beginning of the experiment.
  • Manipulation of the independent variable: The researcher manipulates the independent variable, which is the variable that the researcher is interested in studying. The researcher changes the level of the independent variable and then observes how this affects the dependent variable.
  • Controlled conditions: The experiment is conducted in controlled conditions, which means that the researcher tries to control for all of the other variables that could affect the dependent variable. This is done to ensure that the only difference between the experimental group and the control group is the level of the independent variable.

Full Answer Section

Ethical problems in conducting experiments with humans

There are a number of ethical problems that can arise in conducting experiments with humans. These problems include:

  • Informed consent: Participants must give their informed consent before they can participate in an experiment. This means that they must be told about the risks and benefits of the experiment, and they must agree to participate voluntarily.
  • Harm to participants: Experiments should not cause any harm to participants. If there is any risk of harm, the researcher must weigh the risks and benefits of the experiment and make sure that the benefits outweigh the risks.
  • Deception: In some cases, it may be necessary to deceive participants in order to conduct an experiment. However, deception should only be used as a last resort, and it should be done in a way that minimizes the harm to participants.
  • Withdrawal from the experiment: Participants should be allowed to withdraw from an experiment at any time. If a participant wants to withdraw, the researcher must respect their wishes.

It is important to carefully consider the ethical implications of any experiment before conducting it. By doing so, researchers can help to ensure that the rights of participants are protected.

Additional thoughts on ethical problems in conducting experiments with humans

In addition to the ethical problems listed above, there are a number of other ethical considerations that researchers should take into account when conducting experiments with humans. These considerations include:

  • The age of the participants: Children and adolescents may be more vulnerable to harm than adults, and they may not be able to give informed consent in the same way that adults can.
  • The mental capacity of the participants: People with mental disabilities may not be able to understand the risks and benefits of an experiment, and they may not be able to give informed consent.
  • The cultural background of the participants: People from different cultures may have different values and beliefs about experimentation, and they may not be comfortable participating in an experiment.

It is important to be aware of these ethical considerations and to take them into account when designing and conducting experiments with humans. By doing so, researchers can help to ensure that the rights of participants are protected and that the experiments are conducted in an ethical manner.

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