Discussion 1: Sara Parker and Ethics
One of the reasons there can be so much debate about ethical issues is because ethics are opinions informed by people’s values and people have different values. People can disagree about whether or not something is unethical, and, oftentimes, there is no right answer. In order to make decisions about what may be ethical or unethical, Yegidis (2012, p. 29) suggests focusing on these three questions:

“Who should benefit or suffer from the actions of the researcher?”

“Whose rights should take priority over those of others?”

“Does the end (increased knowledge) justify the means (the methods used to acquire it and their potential for harm)?”

For this Discussion, view the Sessions episode on the Parker family. As you do so, consider which, if any, ethical mandates or standards were violated.

· Post a response explaining your reaction to the Parker episode.

· Be sure to address whether or not the social worker violated any ethical mandates or standards.

· Also explain which strategies could have been used to guide ethical practice.

· Finally, describe the responsibility of the social workers in the Parker case.

Please use the resources to support your answers.

References

Laureate Education. (Producer). (2013).Parker Family [Video File]. In Sessions.

Labott, S. M., & Johnson, T. P. (2004). Psychological and social risks of behavioral research. IRB: Ethics & Human Research, 26(3), 11–15.

Nicotera, N., & Walls, N. E. (2010). Challenging perceptions of academic research as bias free: Promoting a social justice framework in social work research methods courses. Journal of Teaching in Social Work, 30(3), 334–350.

Parker Family Episode 4

Program Transcript

SOCIAL WORKER: Well, I think we should wrap things up. Does this same time

work for you next week?

SARA: Yes, it’s fine.

SOCIAL WORKER: Let me give you an appointment card. By the way, something occurred to me that might interest you. I have a colleague that’s doing a study on the impact of hoarding on family members. She wants to identify potential interventions. I think she’d love to talk to you and Stephanie.

SARA: Talk to me?

SOCIAL WORKER: She’s paying participants in her study. I don’t know how much.

SARA: Do I have to do it? I– I just don’t like people knowing my business.

SOCIAL WORKER: It’s totally confidential and anonymous.

SARA: I don’t know.

SOCIAL WORKER: I think it’d be a great opportunity for you.

SARA: I don’t know. Would she have to come see my home? I mean, I don’t like people seeing how I live.

SOCIAL WORKER: Don’t worry about that. You should at least talk to her. Like I

said, there’s some money in it for you. Can I give her your number?