Which of the following are unethical in the context of research?
(A) Seeking informed consent of respondents.
(B) Offering incentives to respondents.
(C) Coercing respondents for sensitive personal information
(D) Hiding the research purpose from respondents.
(E) Maintaining confidentiality
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct option is B

In research, certain practices are considered unethical because they violate the principles of integrity, respect, and fairness. Offering incentives (B) can be problematic if it unduly influences participants to take part in research they otherwise would not, especially if the incentive is disproportionately large. Coercing respondents (C) for sensitive personal information violates the principle of voluntary participation, which is central to ethical research. Hiding the research purpose (D) from respondents also undermines informed consent, as participants must be fully aware of the nature and aims of the research they are partaking in. However, seeking informed consent (A) and maintaining confidentiality (E) are ethical practices that protect the rights of the participants.
Information Booster: 1. Informed consent ensures that participants voluntarily agree to participate, having been fully informed about the research.
2. Offering incentives is not inherently unethical but becomes problematic when it pressures individuals to participate against their better judgment.
3. Coercion violates the voluntary nature of participation, particularly when it involves sensitive personal data.
4. Deception about the purpose of the research can lead to participants not fully understanding what they are agreeing to, making consent invalid.
5. Confidentiality is critical in protecting participants' personal information and ensuring that their data is not misused.
6. Ethical research requires transparency, respect for participants' autonomy, and the protection of their rights and welfare.