Definition: Informed consent is the requirement that all research participants must explicitly agree to participate in a study with full knowledge of what it entails.

Example: In Milgram's famous experiment, participants were deceived about the true nature of the electric shocks, raising ethical concerns about psychological harm.

Highlight: Protection from both physical and psychological harm is paramount for both researchers and participants.

Quote: "Every subject/participant MUST have the right to withdraw from the experiment or research at any time."

Definition: Reliability refers to the consistency and repeatability of research findings, while validity concerns the accuracy and truthfulness of results.

Highlight: Quantitative data is preferred for large-scale research and pattern identification, while qualitative data offers deeper insights into individual experiences.

Vocabulary: Positivists are researchers who prefer scientific, quantifiable approaches to social research.

Example: Government use of quantitative data for understanding ethnic rates of offending demonstrates both the utility and potential limitations of statistical approaches.