1. What are the APA guidelines concerning research using human subjects? The guidelines concern: (1) scientific significance (only conduct research that has significance to the field), (2) subjects must have informed consent and the ability to withdraw (the researcher must let people know about any after effects before they get involved), and (3) must figure out ways to help people with any of the after effects or harmful effects.

2. What ethical and legal obligations does the researcher have to subjects? First, the researcher must protect participants from harm (psychological and physical). The Institutional Review Board will look at the research done and give their approval or disapproval. Second, every subject has the right to informed consent. The researcher must fully inform subjects and let them make their own decisions to withdraw. A problem with this is that informing sometimes reveals too much about the test. It is unethical to falsify the purpose of the study, but the researcher can postpone fully informing. Inform about risk. Third, include a consent form with research and include a remark about confidentiality. Fourth, must have a request for privacy. Researchers should not collect any unneeded information, plus they should carefully lock up whatever they do collect. Fifth, violation of these standards can lead to a civil suit or a loss of one's grant.

3. In what situations is the researcher exempt from these obligations? The areas for exemption are: (1) research and educational setting involving educational practices (do not have to have informed consent), (2) use of educational tests (GSRAT) do not require infomed consent but confidentiality is still important, (3) surveys and interviews (people can agree and also withdraw (people must not be identifiable and need informed consent if questions pertain to illegal behavior or sensitive subjects), (4) observation of public behavior, and (5) collecting existing data which is a part of the public record (still be concerned for confidentiality).

				Tom of Bethany

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