Case Study: Ethical Considerations in Student Stress Research

This case study analyzes a research proposal by Professor Black to study stress management among undergraduate students. As a member of the research ethics board, the analysis focuses on the ethical implications of the study design, participant selection, data collection, and dissemination of findings. The study involves randomizing students into groups based on their sleep patterns and energy drink consumption, with incentives offered for participation. The review considers the potential impact on the university's image, student privacy, and the overall ethical conduct of the research, suggesting modifications to protect participant well-being and institutional reputation. The paper also emphasizes adherence to ethical values in human research.

Running Head: STRESS
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Stress
student
3/28/2019

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Stress among college students
Stress is the psychological health issue that has been affecting people from all around the
world. Teenagers and adults people are also affected with this health concern. The student
persuades graduation from different institute experience the stress related issues that can be
caused due to the academic reasons like low grades, hard subjects, lack of understand a particular
subject or topic (Brougham, Zail, Mendoza, & Miller, 2009). It can also be caused by personal
and other specific reasons (Beiter et al., 2015). Professor Black is inviting the student to join in
her research for studying the stress management among the undergraduate student. Although
there are lots of research has already done by various researchers, but lots of new research needs
to be done. Therefore I think the study she is doing is valuable for the students and institute. It
will help the student to understand the cope-up methods for stress and also assist the institute to
understand if their student facing any stresses related issues and how they can help them. The
study will be conducted on student who will be selected randomly. The professor set the criteria
for selecting the participants by making groups; groups A sleeps 8 hours, B sleeps for 6 hours, C
sleeps for 4 hours and consumes energy drink, and group D sleeps as much they want. The
participants will also be provided with gifts and bonus. As the member of research ethics board I
would approve the proposal.
The students pursuing higher studies face lots of stress, some of the students cope with
the situation effectively but some are unable to handle the stressful situations and they might
develop more physical or mental issues like depression, anxiety. Therefore this research will help
to understand where the student is lacking in stress management and where we can improve their
ability to manage the stress by using different coping strategies. According to me the professor is
doing a research which will be in favour of the students and institutes, therefore I would allow

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Ms Black to initiate the research or survey among the student although there is some
recommendation I would like to discuss with the professor. I think her ideas for using
anonymous name is good and ethically right, but she should not use the name of the institute as it
can harm the image of the institute. All the research that involves humans must be reviewed by
the ethics committee to make that the proper ethical values are being followed (Collier &
Haliburton, 2015). I also think that the research can also be performed without even using the
names of students and the institute. Using the name of the institute might also provide the
negative impact on the student as they might not be comfortable in discussion their personal life.
Publishing the paper in journal will reveal the name to everyone and it can affect the trust of the
parents and student if the results will be negative. I will also recommend her to not involving the
gifts and bonuses in her next research. I will suggest Ms. Black to make changes in the criteria
for choosing groups by sleeping hours.

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References
Beiter, R., Nash, R., McCrady, M., Rhoades, D., Linscomb, M., Clarahan, M. and Sammut, S.,
2015. The prevalence and correlates of depression, anxiety, and stress in a sample of
college students. Journal of affective disorders, 173, pp.90-96.
Brougham, R. R., Zail, C. M., Mendoza, C. M., & Miller, J. R. (2009). Stress, sex differences,
and coping strategies among college students. Current psychology, 28(2), 85-97.
Collier, C., & Haliburton, R. (2015). Bioethics in Canada: A philosophical introduction.
Canadian Scholars’ Press.