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Keyton: Communication Research, 5e IM-1
Chapter 3
Research Ethics
Activity: Discussing Plagiarism
Bring copies of your university’s plagiarism policy to class. Put students into groups to review the policy
and discuss the similarities and differences between student plagiarism of scholarly work and student
plagiarism of another student’s work. Ask students about the implications of both types of plagiarism.
Activity: Considering Ethical Issues
Give your students the following scenario and assignment. Discuss students’ responses in class.
Scenario: Your manager knows that you are a college student taking a research methods course. The two
of you have talked about what you are studying in the class and how you see yourself using some of the
research principles and practices in your job supervising the menswear department of a chain
department store. But you are surprised when she asks you if you could conduct your final course project
Activity: Considering the Consent Form
For more experienced students, consider a deeper discussion of the consent form and (a) its role in
securing research participation, and (b) its potential influence on the relationship between researcher and
research participant. Assign this article and ask students to then review your university’s consent form
and procedures. Considering the fluidity Bhattacharya addresses and the explicitness of a university’s
consent form (in print) should help students consider new questions about obtaining consent.
Activity: Developing the Debriefing Statement
Assign students to read a journal article. After reviewing the study’s research methods and protocol in a
class discussion or in small group discussions, ask students to write the debriefing statement they believe
should be delivered to participants at the conclusion of the study. Should the debriefing be done in
person? Or in print (or online)? Why?
Keyton: Communication Research, 5e IM-2
Activity: Making Ethical Decisions About Data Collection
Students often fail to see the connection between research ethics and a researcher’s decision about what
data to collect. Using race and sex as two demographic issues, have a class discussion to address the
Activity: Considering Who Will Consider Research Ethical
Dougherty and Atkinson (2006) reveal ethical issues addressed in the study of sexual harassment. They
suggest that researchers often belong to multiple communities, each with unique requirements about
what is considered ethical. Cheney (2008) addresses the influence of ethical considerations in engaged
Resources: About Plagiarism
This website (sponsored by turnitin.com) provides many resources for creating lectures about plagiarism
or creating discussions about plagiarism with students in the classroom: http://www.plagiarism.org/
Keyton: Communication Research, 5e IM-3
Worksheet—Research Ethics
1. Explain in your own words the ethical responsibilities communication researchers face and must
address in their research.
2. Search your school’s website for information about its Institutional Review Board or Human Subjects
Review Committee. After reviewing that site, answer the following questions:
a. What is the URL for the site?
4. Assume you have just collected audiotaped interviews from 10 people in your city’s government.
Explain how confidentiality and anonymity would apply to these qualitative data.
5. Explain when it is appropriate and necessary to use deception in communication research.
Keyton: Communication Research, 5e IM-4
Additional Resources
Allen, M., & Hunt, S. B. (1993). Legal issues in the treatment of communication
apprehension. Journal of Applied Communication Research, 21, 385-390.
doi:10.1080/00909889309365381
Dougherty, D. S., & Kramer, M. W. (Eds.). (2005). Communication research and
institutional review boards [Special issue]. Journal of Applied Communication
doi:10.1080/00909889709365474
Homan, R. (1992). The ethics of open methods. British Journal of Sociology, 43, 321-332.
Hunt, B., Yekel, C. A., Blanchard, M. A., Elliot, D., & Youm, K. H. (2002). Symposium:
Compliance and concern? Institutional review boards in journalism and mass
112.
doi:10.1207/s15506878jobem4803_9
Markham, A. (2012). Fabrication as ethical practice. Information, Communication & Society,
doi:10.1023/A:1006173106143
Reyes, J. A. (2000). The construction of research ethics involving human subjects: A
preliminary analysis. Michigan Academician, 32, 59-70.
Web Resources
For a list of Internet resources, visit https://www.joannkeyton.com/research-methods
