How can faculty researchers avoid undue influence on student subjects during research?

To maintain ethical standards in research involving student subjects, it is crucial for faculty researchers to avoid any potential for undue influence that could arise from a power imbalance. By not recruiting their own students as subjects, researchers minimize the risk that students may feel coerced or pressured to participate due to concerns about their grades or evaluations. This practice helps ensure that participation is truly voluntary and based on the students' own interests and willingness rather than any perceived obligation to please a faculty member.

Recruiting from different institutions, while it may decrease the likelihood of undue influence, does not directly address the specific risks associated with the dynamics present within a direct student-faculty relationship. Similarly, conducting research on unrelated topics does not inherently eliminate the influence that a faculty member may exert over their own students. Offering higher grades creates a clear ethical violation by attempting to incentivize participation, which could undermine the validity of the research findings and the welfare of the subjects. Therefore, avoiding recruitment of their own students is the most effective way to protect the integrity of the research and uphold ethical guidelines.