Which Is True of Inducements in Research?

 

Which Is True of Inducements in Research?

A. Inducements, like coercion, are always inappropriate, as they violate the ethical principle of respect for persons.
 

B. Inducements constitute an "undue influence" if they alter a potential subject's decision-making processes, such that they do not appropriately weigh the risk-benefit relationship of the research.
 

C. Like coercion, undue inducement is easy for IRBs to determine.
 

D. Offering $10 for an hour long research study constitutes undue inducement.
 

Correct Answer: B. Inducements constitute an "undue influence" if they alter a potential subject's decision-making processes, such that they do not appropriately weigh the risk-benefit relationship of the research.
 

Explanation: Inducements in research are offers intended to entice people into participation in a study, such as financial reward or other incentives. Inducements themselves are not unethical, but become problematic when they amount to undue influence. This happens when the offer is large enough that it compromises a person's decision-making capacity and makes them ignore the risk involved. Informed and voluntary participation is a requirement of ethical research; undue inducement compromises that standard by potentially distorting the decisional process. Unlike the overt threats of force involved with coercion, undue influence is more covert but no less compromising of autonomy. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) review whether inducements have such potential, but it is more typically a context-dependent and nuanced decision. To give a small amount of money, such as $10 for an hour spent in participation, is generally a fair reward and not undue. Therefore, answer B best describes the ethical concern with inducements in research participation.