Problem
Case Study: You are working as a research assistant for a questionnaire-based study looking at physical activity levels of older adults and their associated quality of life outcomes. Each participant receives $20 for the completion of a questionnaire. Your supervisor trusts you and your colleagues to distribute the money appropriately. One day, a fellow research assistant tells you that they have lied to your supervisor and made up five participants so that they could keep $100 for themselves. They also offered you $20, which would be helpful to save up for a new office chair you have been wanting. You must decide whether or not to report this colleague to your supervisor.
A. Identify and explain what type of research misconduct your fellow colleague committed.
B. What are three ethical decision-making steps that would be necessary for making your decision? Explain.
C. Provide an appropriate primary reference that would support your ethical decision making process. Explain your reasoning and include proper APA citation.
D. What are two ethical principles that your fellow colleague is violating? Explain.