APPLICATIONS
Riqui

Riqui is a research worker. The protocol for his project says that he should stand near the front door of Springfield Hospital and ask all the people who come in whether they would like to be in a study. Only people who say they have had chicken pox qualify to fill out a survey and receive $20. Few people coming through the hospital’s front door qualify.

Riqui sees some of his friends hanging out across the street from the hospital. Riqui thinks that these friends have had chicken pox. He also knows that they could use $20. Riqui walks across the street and asks his friends to come to the hospital so they can be in the study and get $20.

Below is a list of issues. Think about how each of these issues is relevant to Riqui:

1. Participants' right to say no
2. Recruiting people you know
3. Following the protocol
4. Professionalism
5. Confidentiality
6. Collecting accurate information

Think about each issue.

Then click here for hints.

Hints:

1. Participants' right to say no:
   Riqui’s friends may feel obligated to help Riqui out. They might not feel free to say no.
   (Click here to review.)
   
   
2. Collecting information from people you know:
   The questionnaire asks about health information. Riqui might learn things about his friends that he has trouble keeping private. His friends might feel embarrassed to tell Riqui the truth about certain things.
   (Click here to review.)
   
   
3. Following the protocol:
   The protocol says that Riqui should recruit people who come into the hospital. But Riqui’s friends probably would not have come into the hospital if he hadn’t asked them to. Riqui’s friends were probably not in the group that he was supposed to recruit.
   (Click here to review.)
   
   
4. Professionalism:
   Not following the protocol is unprofessional. Riqui’s’ job is to do research, not help his friends.
   (Click here to review.)
   
   
5. Confidentiality:
   Again, Riqui might learn things about his friends that he has trouble keeping private.
   (Click here to review.)
   
   
6. Collecting accurate information:
   Riqui thinks that his friends have had chicken pox. They might just pretend that they’ve had chicken pox. They don't want to disappoint Riqui, and they want the $20.
   (Click here to review.)

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