ETHICAL ISSUES IN OBSERVATIONAL FAMILY RESEARCH

Ethical issues raised by the increasing reliance on observational tech nology in family research are discussed. The tensions between scientif ic advancement and participant welfare are highlighted by delineating the process of observational research and the nature of the relationsh ip between family scientists and the families they study. Guidelines a re proposed for ethical decision making regarding potential child abus e, suicidality, informed consent, confidentiality, and debriefing.