Handling Ethical Issues in Data Analysis

Discussion Board Forum Prompts

Discussion Board Forum 1: Handling Ethical Issues in Data Analysis (Module/Week 3)

Preliminary Reading: So far you have studied ethical issues in the display of data (Nolan and Heinzen, Ch. 3), but the discipline of statistics is governed by ethical guidelines that cover other areas including data analysis, interpretation, and reporting. Read the following sources concerning ethics in working with data and statistics:

Scenario: Imagine you are working on a research paper with a partner. The two of you have been studying the effect of two types of therapy on combat-related PTSD symptoms, and your research hypothesis is that one treatment will be superior to the other. You have collected the data and are finished analyzing the numbers, and the results show that the treatments are not significantly different from one another in their effects. Though you are both disappointed, you yourself accept the results and are ready to start writing them up, when your research partner suggests going back and making some “small changes” to the data in order to try to make the preferred treatment look more successful. You have reviewed the ethical standards listed above and understand the expectation of integrity involved in research. After hearing your partner’s proposal, you decide to write him/her a letter in response.

1. Ethical Guidelines for Statistical Practice. (1999). Committee on Professional Ethics, American Statistical Association. (Required sections: Part I (“Preamble”), and Part II (Ethical Guidelines, Sections A, C, E, F, and G)
2. Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct. (2010). American Psychological Association. (Required sections: Standard 5.01 and Standards 8.10 through 8.15)
3. Kromrey, J.D. 1993. Ethics and data analysis. Educational Researcher, 22(4), p. 24–27. (Not required, but a highly recommended and related short article. Full text available through the Jerry Falwell Library)

Thread Prompt: Write a professional letter to your partner responding to his/her suggestion to manipulate data.

Reply Prompt: Choose 2 classmates’ posts. Imagine you are their supervisor and that they have given you the letter they intend to give to their research partner, in order to receive your feedback before sending it. Constructively critique their letter, including both 1) what they have explained and supported well and 2) what you would suggest that they add or change. Use information you have learned during the course, other courses/readings, and the sources above to help form your critique.

1. Include supporting information from the 2 required sources listed in the reading (required), and any additional sources (optional). You may want to include the possible consequences of data manipulation in this particular field of study (PTSD).
2. Find and include a passage of Scripture relating to integrity, honesty, or another related concept, and explain why it applies in the context of this situation and how it affects your response (required).
3. Include current APA-style references at the bottom of the letter, in case your research partner wants to review the guidelines mentioned in your letter or find the verses you share (required).

Important Considerations:

Your thread must be at least 300 words and is due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Friday of Module/Week 3. Your 2 replies must be 150 words each and are due by 11:59 p.m. (ET) on Monday of Module/Week 3.

1. Because you are taking on a role and writing letters, this discussion board prompt leaves no room for comments such as the following, which will result in loss of points:
2. “Great job on your discussion post,”
3. “I totally agree with everything you said,”
   • “Good luck in the rest of the class,” etc.
   • The word count may not include text from this prompt or direct quotes from classmates’ posts. If you include this type of material, make sure that you have enough words to reach the minimum word count without it.

In our line of work, we are obligated to be consistent in following the guidelines set up for us so that we would not stray from the professional standards and expectations of our scientific work. We must have integrity in our practice by working skillfully in a professional and ethical manner. As a colleague, I must intercede on any professional and scientific misconduct that is witnessed. It is important that we are disciplined in making valid interpretations of our findings in order to maintain a good statistical practice. We must not forget that as professionals in statistical research, our main goal is to progress in knowledge while circumventing harm (Ethical Guidelines for Statistical Practice, 2016).

Keep in mind that general principles are our guidelines which model the ideal approach in our scientific ventures as psychologists. According to the general principles, we must be alert and aware of our own well being so that it would not hinder us from helping each other; we mustn’t do any harm to one another. We are to serve for one another’s best interest and establish trust within our professional relationships. In our teachings and practices we must encourage accuracy, truthfulness, and honesty in order to maintain integrity. It is crucial that we avoid unjust practices by maintaining reasonable judgment that isn’t hindered by biases, bounded competence, and limited proficiency. As psychologists, we value and respect the dignity, rights, privacy, autonomy, and confidentiality of all people (Ethical Principles Psychologists and Code of Conduct, 2010).

I encourage you to look to scripture which demonstrates integrity and prompts us to apply it in all things which include our work. It says that “the LORD detests lying lips, but he delights those who are trustworthy” (Proverbs 12:22). Scripture also says that God desires what is right and just (Proverbs 21:3). In 1 Corinthians 8:21, Paul tells the church that our labor is to do what is right in the eyes of God and people. Hebrews 13:18 describes integrity as living honorably in every way in order to maintain a clear conscious. I hope that you would be encouraged by these words and that you are able to incorporate the truth of these passages in scripture to your work and your life.