Ethical Issues in Behavioral Research: Basic and Applied Perspectives

Ethical considerations have a formidable influence on planning and conducting research. Concerns over the ethical dimensions of behavioral research have risen dramatically, resulting in significant developments in ethical codification and the research review process. The ever–changing nature of the ethical climate in research coincides with the increased sensitivity to ethics in other domains such as those involving global corporations, politics, and marketing. An adherence to basic values of integrity represents a fundamental concern for behavioral researchers as we progress through the 21st century. This new edition focuses on the research community’s response to current professional and public demands, the issues imposed by new research technologies, and the ethical challenges that arise in the application of research approaches. Additionally, attention is given to some of the ethical issues and conflicts encountered in cross–cultural research, reflecting the increase of fundamental and applied researchers conducting studies in foreign settings.

List of Boxes. List of Figures. List of Tables. Foreword. Preface to the Second Edition. Preface to the First Edition. Acknowledgments. 1. Introduction to Research Ethics. 2. Ethical Principles in Behavioral Research: Professional and Governmental Guidelines. 3. Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Laboratory Research. 4. Methodological Issues in the Use of Deception. 5. Ethical Issues in the Conduct of Field Research. 6. Applied Research I: Therapeutic and Organizational Research. 7. Applied Research II: Marketing and Survey Research. 8. Recruitment and Selection of Research Subjects. 9. Ethical Issues in Research with Animals. 10. Ethical Review and the Communication of Results. Appendix 1. Annotated List of Web Links to Ethics Codes. Appendix 2. Psychology Codes of Ethics: An International Survey. Appendix 3. Sample Research Application and Informed Consent Forms. References. Subject Index. Name Index

Allan J. Kimmel is Professor of Marketing at ESCP–EAP, European School of Management (Paris, France). His publications include Rumor and Rumor Control: A Manager’s Guide to Understanding and Combatting Rumors (2004) and Marketing Communication: New Approaches, Technologies, and Styles (edited, 2005).

"The great strength of Ethical Issues is that is a truly practical guide for researchers. It addresses the day–today dilemmas that researchers struggle with when trying to balance scientific rigour against ethical responsibilities.... If you think ethical review is an annoyingly bureaucratic hurdle that hampers or compromises your research efforts, I dare you to read it. Ethical Issues might just change your mind!" ( Psychology Learning and Teaching , Autumn 2008) “This book deserves to be read widely by researchers who work with human participants or subjects. This book provides valuable insights about the ethical standards of research. People who work with ethics committees will find this a beneficial … .While his central focus is on behavioral research, the book discusses ethical issues underpinning much non–medical research and thus covers an extensive range of issues … . The reference list provided is among the most comprehensive I have seen in this field, and is fairly up–to–date, which in itself this is a very valuable resource.” ( Metapsychology , November 2008)