A problem

Two researchers in social medicine have devised a plan to investigate the hidden milieu of online anorexic communities.  They are extremely secretive and members on pro-ana sites are suspicious and exclude all forms of research.  One of the investigators adopts a pseudonym, uses the language of youth and projects all the neuroses to gain acceptance.  How ethical is this methodology?

A response

It sounds ugly but we have to remember that anorexia is a serious condition, akin to suicide, and unless we understand how it is handled, we cannot advance medical science.

That problem again

Two researchers in social medicine have devised a plan to investigate the hidden milieu of online anorexic communities.  They are extremely secretive and members on pro-ana sites are suspicious and exclude all forms of research.  One of the investigators adopts a pseudonym, uses the language of youth and projects all the neuroses to gain acceptance.  How ethical is this methodology?

Another response

The problem that our investigators have is stated clearly enough in the question:  there is no other way of penetrating the ring.  Would you say that the Police cannot use undercover agents to fight crime?  If unmarked Police cars are a legitimate strategy of law enforcement (where the Police masquerade as citizens) then covert methods are surely acceptable in science, where the stakes are just as serious.  Your suggestion in the feedback is trying to be more Catholic than the Pope.

That problem again

Two researchers in social medicine have devised a plan to investigate the hidden milieu of online anorexic communities.  They are extremely secretive and members on pro-ana sites are suspicious and exclude all forms of research.  One of the investigators adopts a pseudonym, uses the language of youth and projects all the neuroses to gain acceptance.  How ethical is this methodology?

Another response again

The problem with deception is that it doesn’t end with a single trick.  The whole structure of the research is based on deceit.  In order to gain any kind of information or insight, the investigator-trickster has to cultivate trust and friendship:  a relationship has to develop which is of course duplicitous and manipulative.

That problem for a final time

Two researchers in social medicine have devised a plan to investigate the hidden milieu of online anorexic communities.  They are extremely secretive and members on pro-ana sites are suspicious and exclude all forms of research.  One of the investigators adopts a pseudonym, uses the language of youth and projects all the neuroses to gain acceptance.  How ethical is this methodology?

A final response

An ethics committee will give assent to this kind of falsehood if it accepts the argument that the value of the research justifies the deception.  In certain cases, the disagreeable methodology will be valorized by a perception of need, such as saving lives.  Researchers need to be aware of the huge burden of proof that this puts on their work, because if they cannot convince the reader that their work substantially contributes to the welfare of individuals, their deception stands as a permanent smear on their reputation and their institution’s.