Question

1. As part of their class requirements, the students in Dr. Taylor’s Research Design and Analysis class are sent over to Trumbull Mall to observe interactions between mothers and their toddler-aged children. They are told not to interact with the moms at all, but just record certain behaviors, like the number of times they speak harshly to their children and the number of times the children whine or cry.

One of the mothers notices that the students are watching people and complains to mall security. The manager of the mall asks the students where they are from, then writes a letter of complaint to Dr. Taylor. Here is an excerpt:

”I am requesting that you do not engage in any more observational research at Trumbull Mall. I don’t think it is right to allow students to observe people’s behavior without getting their permission first. It is a violation of privacy and is wrong even if they don’t realize they are being watched. People come to the mall to shop, not to be watched.”

Reflection Questions:

1. What are some good reasons for the manager’s concerns? Explain.
2. What are some good reasons why the students should be able to do this type of research? Explain.
3. If you were in Dr. Taylor’s position, how would you handle the situation?

Answer 1

Qno1: What are some good reasons for the manager’s concerns? Explain

Answer: Some reasons for the manager's concerns include follows:

Firstly Manager is responsible for the confidentiality of its customers. He can lose his customers if he compromises with their privacy.

Secondly, Dr. Tylor did not seek permission from the mall manager to conduct the research. The manager is unaware of the forms of data the students are seeking and he has every right to be concerned about it.

Qno2: What are some good reasons why the students should be able to do this type of research? Explain.

Answer: In overt non-participant observation the research subjects are not aware of being observed. Some good reasons why Dr. Taylors students should be able to conduct overt non-participant observation might include the follows:

Firstly, if the research subjects are aware of being observed, they will change their natural ways of behaving which might affect the research results. For example students had to observe interactions between mothers and their toddler-aged childreren especially certain behaviors, like the number of times they speak harshly to their children and the number of times the children whine or cry. Now if the mothers are informed about the research beforehand, they might try to be careful when dealing with their children inside the mall.

Secondly, the data from the research will provide important insights about the interactions between mothers and their toddler-aged children. Also it will fulfil the important class requirements of students.

Q no3: If you were in Dr. Taylor’s position, how would you handle the situation.

Firstly, I will check the legal, ethical requirements and confidentiality agreements. I will seek permission from the manager of the mall and discuss the research requirements with them. I will also train the students to act like customers or by passers to minimize the risk of them getting noticed or caught.

I will also apologize to the manager and the customers if I have not sought permission to conduct the research in the mall. I will assure the research participants that their identities will be kept anonymous. I will also discuss the research requirements and data requirements with them