Question 1: Explain why it is important for sociologists to obtain consent from participants before conducting research.

Answer: Obtaining consent ensures that participants agree to take part voluntarily, respecting their autonomy and protecting their rights. It also helps prevent harm and maintains ethical standards.

Question 2: Describe two potential ethical issues that could arise when researching sensitive topics such as poverty or mental health.

Answer: Potential issues include causing emotional distress to participants and invading their privacy by revealing confidential information.

Question 3: Identify and explain one way sociologists can protect the privacy of their research participants.

Answer: Sociologists can anonymize data by removing or disguising any personal identifiers to ensure participants cannot be personally identified.

Question 4: Discuss why it is important for sociologists to debrief participants after their involvement in a study.

Answer: Debriefing provides participants with information about the purpose of the research, addresses any concerns, and ensures they leave the study without confusion or distress.

Question 5: Imagine you are conducting a survey on students' attitudes towards school rules. List two ethical considerations you should keep in mind.

Answer: Ensuring voluntary participation and maintaining the confidentiality of students' responses.

Question 6: Sketch a simple diagram illustrating how a sociologist might ensure informed consent is obtained from participants. Label the key parts of the process.

Answer: A correct sketch shows a flowchart or diagram with steps such as 'Provide Participant Information Sheet,' 'Explain Study Purpose,' 'Answer Questions,' and 'Obtain Signature or Agreement.' Labels clearly indicate each step.

Question 7: Explain what is meant by 'voluntary participation' in sociological research ethics.

Answer: It means that participants choose to take part freely without being pressured or coerced, and they can withdraw at any time without penalty.

Question 8: Describe a scenario where a researcher might breach ethical guidelines and suggest how to avoid this mistake.

Answer: A researcher might share participants' personal information without permission. To avoid this, they should anonymize data and only share information with authorized individuals.

Question 9: Draw a diagram to illustrate the ethical principles sociologists should follow when conducting research. The diagram should include at least three principles and their relationships.

Answer: A correct diagram would show three interconnected circles or boxes labeled 'Informed Consent,' 'Confidentiality,' and 'Avoiding Harm,' with arrows indicating their relationship and importance in ethical research.