Ethics of PR Research

Today in class we discussed the ethics of PR research. The beginning started off with the PRSA Code of Ethics in which I found interesting that you advocate against your client if it were to harm someone else. Basic Principles of Ethical Research include:
1. Participants must agree to actively participate.
2. Participants must know they can withdraw at anytime.
3. Participants must understand what they are volunteering for.
4. Research cannot harm the participants.
5. All results must remain confidential and anonymous.

I didn't know that everything had to be so in the open when it came to doing group studies/research. I thought if you had volunteers they were just that and didn't have to be informed. Most importantly, I think being a good human being is most important. If someone has or is planning on harming themselves or someone else it is the responsibility of a good person to report that if not to turn someone in or to help them get help.