Key Idea: Responsibility runs before, during and after a study: protect participants, justify animal use, and report findings without causing harm.
Topic 1.6 at a glance
- Participant ethics — Consent, protection from harm, confidentiality, right to withdraw, debrief.
- Animal ethics — The 3Rs (Replace, Reduce, Refine) + a cost-benefit test.
- Social responsibility — Report honestly, avoid stereotyping, guard against misuse.
Participants · Animals · Society
IB-style questionExplain[6 marks]
A study secretly observes people in a waiting room and gives some false feedback. Explain two ethical responsibilities the researcher must meet.
🔒 Model answer plan
See the mark-by-mark plan — for / against / judgement, with marking guidance — in study mode.
Core ethical principle? Participants' wellbeing comes before results — people before data.
What are the 3Rs? Replace, Reduce, Refine — responsible use of animals.
Why does reporting matter? Findings carry authority and can be twisted to justify harm.
For any study you can raise: consent, harm, confidentiality, withdrawal, debrief. For animals, apply the 3Rs and weigh benefit vs suffering.