CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH
ETHICS
ETHICS:
“The study of right and wrong conduct”
(Dooley, 2001)
“… from the Greek word ethos, meaning
‘custom.’ … refers to the general beliefs,
attitudes, and standards that guide
customary behavior.”
(DesJardins, 2000)
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CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH
ETHICS
ETHICAL CRIMINAL JUSTICE RESEARCH:
A THREE-LEGGED STOOL
1.
Identify intellectual and social contributions of a
research study
2.
Protect the rights of human subjects
3.
Ensure ethical researcher conduct
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IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING
ETHICAL RESEARCH SKILLS
1. Focus & Impact of Criminal Justice Research


Implementation & Effectiveness of Laws, Policies,
Programs, Law Enforcement Tactics
Multiple Populations Impacted: Offenders,
Potential Offenders, CJ Practitioners, General
Public
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IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING
ETHICAL RESEARCH SKILLS
2. Vulnerable Populations Involved in Criminal
Justice Research

Incarcerated Offenders

Juveniles

Mentally Ill
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IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING
ETHICAL RESEARCH SKILLS
3. Sensitive Data & Confidentiality

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Criminal History Information
Current Offending Patterns
Gang Involvement
Substance Abuse Habits
Recollection of Emotionally Disturbing
Experiences
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HISTORY

Nuremberg Code



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Professional Association Guidelines

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ASC, WSC, ASA, APA
Tuskegee Syphilis Study

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Fruitful results
Voluntary Consent
No unnecessary physical or mental harm
Freedom to stop participation
Macon County, Alabama, 1929
U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services guidelines for
human subject research, 1981
Institutional Review Boards (IRB)
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Institutional Review Boards

Composed of researchers’ colleagues &
members of community


Required in institutions that receive federal
research funds

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Prisoner / Offender rep. for CJ research
Universities, hospitals, RAND Corp., state
agencies
All research involving human subjects must
be approved PRIOR to start of study
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Protecting Human Subjects &
Proper Researcher Conduct

Protecting Human Subjects

Potential Problems:

Physical / Psychological Harm

Damage to Reputation


Lack of Confidentiality
 Loss of Privacy, Retaliation
Expense & Inconvenience
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Protecting Human Subjects &
Proper Researcher Conduct

Protecting Human Subjects

Protections:

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INFORMED CONSENT
 Voluntary written consent to participate
Confidentiality / Anonymity of Records
Maintenance of Privacy
IRB Approval
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Protecting Human Subjects &
Proper Researcher Conduct

Protecting Human Subjects

Rights of Research Participants:

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


Informed Consent
Protection from psychological or physical harm
Freedom to stop participation at ANY time
Confidentiality
Debriefing
Expectation of meaningful research results
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Protecting Human Subjects &
Proper Researcher Conduct

Proper Researcher Conduct

Potential Problems:

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Harm to subjects
Plagiarism
Fraud
Waste
Private v. Public Interest
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Protecting Human Subjects &
Proper Researcher Conduct

Proper Researcher Conduct

Enforcement & Sanctioning


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Professional Associations

Deny publication, Issue public reprimand, Cancel
membership
Government

Withhold funds (individual or institution)
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Rarely… Impose fines, Bring criminal charges
Research Subjects

Complain to IRB / Association, Civil Complaint
Public Media

Expose Story
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