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.
 

Ans. 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.

An inducement is a payment, usually money, to an individual to persuade them to participate in research. It is not inherently immoral, as contrasted with coercion, which is a threat or application of force. The ethics issue arises when the inducement is "undue," i.e., so large that it distorts the decision of a potential participant. A participant will consent to take on unreasonable risks or overlook foreseen discomforts because the inducement is too enticing. Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) must scrutinize the worth of the inducement closely in order to ensure that it will not encroach upon an individual's capacity to make an informed and free choice based on an informed risk-benefit calculation. A small payment, such as $10 for an hour, is generally regarded as compensation, not undue inducement.