Is it your role as a researcher to get involved?

by | Jan 2, 2024 | Social science

 

Just as we face ethical dilemmas in everyday life, we encounter similar issues while conducting social research. Conducting research in social sciences can involve personal or professional ethical dilemmas that can be subtle yet extremely damaging if not corrected. Dilemmas can occur when working with research recipients who are from different cultures or speak different languages, or when using inappropriate instruments while conducting research.

A common problem that social science researchers run into is child abuse or neglect that occurs while the researcher is working on a social issue, such as appropriate parenting or the effects of parenting types on children. For example, sometimes social research can involve being in a child’s home, and the researcher may observe something inappropriate occurring but be uncertain if they should report it. Another example could be a researcher who is in the field, such as at a shopping center, and while observing family interactions may observe a parent hitting a child.

In your initial response, indicate what you, as a researcher, would do if you witnessed this. Is it your role as a researcher to get involved? Why or why not?

In your responses to your peers, indicate why you agree or disagree with their responses. What else might your peer want to consider as they decide whether or not to intervene?

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Answer

Sample Answer

 

As a social science researcher, the ethical dilemma of witnessing child abuse or neglect during the course of conducting research is indeed a complex and sensitive issue. When faced with such a situation, there are several factors that need to be considered in order to make an informed decision on whether or not to intervene.

Firstly, it is crucial to acknowledge that the safety and well-being of the child should always be of paramount importance. The researcher must prioritize the best interests of the child above any research objectives. If immediate harm or danger is observed, it is the moral obligation of the researcher to take action and ensure the child’s safety.

However, it is important to recognize that researchers are not trained professionals in child protection or law enforcement. Therefore, intervening directly may not always be the most appropriate course of action. In such situations, the researcher should consider reporting their concerns to the relevant authorities or professionals who are equipped to handle child protection issues, such as child protective services or the police.

Additionally, the researcher must also respect the principles of informed consent and confidentiality. If participants have not explicitly consented to disclosure of any observed instances of abuse or neglect, the researcher should carefully navigate the ethical implications of reporting without violating the trust and privacy of those involved. It may be necessary to consult with an ethics board or seek guidance from experienced professionals in order to make an informed decision.

Furthermore, researchers should proactively address potential ethical concerns related to child protection before commencing their research. This includes developing clear protocols and guidelines for identifying and responding to instances of abuse or neglect. By establishing these procedures in advance, researchers can better navigate ethical dilemmas and ensure that appropriate steps are taken to protect vulnerable individuals.

In conclusion, while social science researchers may encounter ethical dilemmas when witnessing child abuse or neglect during research, their primary responsibility should be the safety and well-being of the child. While intervening directly may not always be appropriate, reporting concerns to relevant authorities and seeking guidance from professionals is essential. By proactively addressing ethical concerns and respecting principles of consent and confidentiality, researchers can navigate these dilemmas in an ethical and responsible manner.

 

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