AP PSYCHOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -However, a disadvantage of covert observation is that it raises a number of ethical concerns. If people are unaware that they are the objects of sociological study, they have not given informed consent. It might be possible, in some cases, to get consent after the study has taken place, or to receive general consent.

Detailed explanation-2: -For sociologists, a balance is invariably struck between the need to collect data and the need to observe ethical guidelines and procedures. The use of covert research is legally and ethically problematic since it denies the principle of informed consent and thus constitutes a violation of personal privacy.

Detailed explanation-3: -’Covert ethical problems’ are ‘intricate and complex types of problems’ which occur in marketing, ‘corporate acquisitions’, ‘personnel policies’, ‘capital investment’, ‘market war’, and so on. They are hard to locate, to remove and are subsequently much riskier and threatening to any business.

Detailed explanation-4: -"Studies based on observation in natural settings must respect the privacy and psychological wellbeing of the individuals studied. Unless those observed give their consent to being observed, observational research is only acceptable in public situations where those observed would expect to be observed by strangers.

Detailed explanation-5: -This is the most ethical form of observation, as it requires no deception and participants are able to give their informed consent. However, this form of observation is the method most at risk of the Hawthorne Effect. When people know that they are being observed they behave differently (consciously or unconsciously).