Question

Describe the unethical behavior, if any, in each example and describe how it could impact the reliability of the resulting data. Explain how the problem should be corrected. A study is commissioned to determine the favorite brand of fruit juice among teens in California.

1. The survey is commissioned by the seller of a popular brand of apple juice.
2. There are only two types of juice included in the study: apple juice and cranberry juice.
3. Researchers allow participants to see the brand of juice as samples are poured for a taste test.
4. Twenty-five percent of participants prefer Brand X, 33% prefer Brand Y and 42% have no preference between the two brands. Brand X references the study in a commercial saying "Most teens like Brand X as much as or more than Brand Y."

Short answer

1. A seller of a popular brand of apple juice surveying will lead to a biased result, instead, a person unassociated must do the survey.
2. Limiting to only two types of brands would be unfair for the rest of the brands, instead, all the brands should be incorporated in the survey.
3. Allowing the participants to see the brand will affect the response, hence, proper care must be taken in avoiding the disclosure of the brand.
4. Manipulated results are unethical, honest results must be displayed in the commercial.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Step 1: Concept Introduction

Unethical behavior is described as actions that violate social norms or are deemed objectionable by the general public. It is an action that goes against what is morally right or proper for a person, a profession, or a business. Individual people, companies, professionals, and officials can all act unethically.

Part (a) Step 2: Explanation

The unethical act here is that the survey is conducted by the supplier of the preferred brand. The seller of a well-known brand will produce skewed results. The solution is for the poll to be conducted by someone who is not affiliated with the brands.

Part (a) Step 3: Final answer

A survey conducted by a seller of a popular brand of apple juice will result in a biased result; alternatively, the poll must be conducted by someone who is unrelated to the seller.

Part (b) Step 1: Concept Introduction

Unethical behavior is described as actions that violate social norms or are deemed objectionable by the general public. It is an action that goes against what is morally right or proper for a person, a profession, or a business. Individual people, companies, professionals, and officials can all act unethically.

Part (b) Step 2: Explanation

It is unethical to not provide all of the available options on the market. As a result, the study's findings will be incorrect. The simplest method to avoid this unethical practice is to combine all of the available juice brands.

Part (b) Step 3: Final answer

Limiting the survey to only two types of brands would be unfair to the other brands; therefore, all brands should be included.

Part (c) Step 1: Concept Introduction

Unethical behavior is described as actions that violate social norms or are deemed objectionable by the general public. It is an action that goes against what is morally right or proper for a person, a profession, or a business. Individual people, companies, professionals, and officials can all act unethically.

Part (c) Step 2: Explanation

If the participants know the name of the juice brand they are tasting, they can utilize their prior taste preferences to determine how it tastes. This will influence the participants' responses, resulting in biased results. This can be prevented by taking extra precautions to ensure that the participants do not discover the name of the juice they would be sampling.

Part (c) Step 3: Final answer

Allowing participants to view the brand will alter their response; therefore, extreme caution is necessary for avoiding brand disclosure.

Part (d) Step 1: Concept Introduction

Unethical behavior is described as actions that violate social norms or are deemed objectionable by the general public. It is an action that goes against what is morally right or proper for a person, a profession, or a business. Individual people, companies, professionals, and officials can all act unethically.

Part (d) Step 2: Explanation

The study's results have been tampered with. It leads customers misguided. One must ensure that their commercial is honest and that the facts and findings of the research study are not manipulated.

Part (d) Step 3: Final answer

Manipulated results are unethical, and honest results must be shown in commercials.