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The Ethics of Randomized Controlled Trials in Social Settings: Can Social Trials Be Scientifically Promising and Must There Be Equipoise?

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Title: The Ethics of Randomized Controlled Trials in Social Settings: Can Social Trials Be Scientifically Promising and Must There Be Equipoise?
Language: English
Authors: Fives, Allyn, Russell, Daniel W., Canavan, John, Lyons, Rena, Eaton, Patricia, Devaney, Carmel, Kearns, Norean, O'Brien, Aoife
Source: International Journal of Research & Method in Education. 2015 38(1):56-71.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 16
Publication Date: 2015
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Comparative Analysis, Research Methodology, Control Groups, Experimental Groups, Ethics, Reading Programs, Social Environment, Responsibility, Researchers, Foreign Countries, Moral Values
Geographic Terms: Ireland, United Kingdom
DOI: 10.1080/1743727X.2014.908338
ISSN: 1743-727X
Abstract: In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), treatments are assigned randomly and treatments are withheld from participants. Is it ethically permissible to conduct an RCT in a social setting? This paper addresses two conditions for justifying RCTs: that there should be a state of equipoise and that the trial should be scientifically promising. Illustrated with a discussion of the RCT evaluation of the Wizards of Words reading programme, this paper argues that, first, the two conditions can give rise to genuine moral conflicts, and second, efforts can be made to ensure RCTs in social settings are scientifically promising. The argument of this paper therefore is a departure from the current debate on RCTs, where it is assumed these two justifying conditions should not come into conflict, either because research ethics is derived from the professional's duty of care, or because there is a strong distinction between the ethics of research and the duty of care. This paper also addresses critics who argue that in social settings RCTs cannot be scientifically promising and for that reason they are ethically impermissible.
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 55
Entry Date: 2015
Accession Number: EJ1049359
Database: ERIC
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  Data: The Ethics of Randomized Controlled Trials in Social Settings: Can Social Trials Be Scientifically Promising and Must There Be Equipoise?
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Fives%2C+Allyn%22">Fives, Allyn</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Russell%2C+Daniel+W%2E%22">Russell, Daniel W.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Canavan%2C+John%22">Canavan, John</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Lyons%2C+Rena%22">Lyons, Rena</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Eaton%2C+Patricia%22">Eaton, Patricia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Devaney%2C+Carmel%22">Devaney, Carmel</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kearns%2C+Norean%22">Kearns, Norean</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22O'Brien%2C+Aoife%22">O'Brien, Aoife</searchLink>
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: In a randomized controlled trial (RCT), treatments are assigned randomly and treatments are withheld from participants. Is it ethically permissible to conduct an RCT in a social setting? This paper addresses two conditions for justifying RCTs: that there should be a state of equipoise and that the trial should be scientifically promising. Illustrated with a discussion of the RCT evaluation of the Wizards of Words reading programme, this paper argues that, first, the two conditions can give rise to genuine moral conflicts, and second, efforts can be made to ensure RCTs in social settings are scientifically promising. The argument of this paper therefore is a departure from the current debate on RCTs, where it is assumed these two justifying conditions should not come into conflict, either because research ethics is derived from the professional's duty of care, or because there is a strong distinction between the ethics of research and the duty of care. This paper also addresses critics who argue that in social settings RCTs cannot be scientifically promising and for that reason they are ethically impermissible.
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