$$The infamous case of the sociologist as Voveur

An investigation that has almost achieved particular notoriety because of its ethics is Humphreys'

$(1970)$ infamous study of homosexual encounters in public toilets $($tearoom trade$).$ Humphrey's

research interest was in impersonal sex, and, in order to shed light on this area, he took on the role

of watch queen$-$that is$,$ someone who watches out for possible intruders while men meet and

engage in homosexual sex in public toilets. As a result of his involvement in these social scenes,

Humphreys was able to collect the details of active participant's car license numbers. He was then

able to track down their names and addresses and ended up with a sample of hundred active

tearoom trade participants. He then conducted an interview survey of a sample of those who had

been identified and a further sample that acted as a point of comparison. The interview schedule

was concerned with health issues and included some questions about marital sex. In order to reduce

he risk of being remembered, Humphreys waited a year before contacting his respondents and

Iso changed his hair style.

$($a$)$ Humphreys' study has achieved particular notoriety because of its infringement on several

ethical principles. Discuss four $(4)$ ethical principles it infringes on$.$

$($b$)$ How would the various stances on ethics in social research view Humphreys' study?

Discuss four $(4).$

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

a Humphreys study infringes on several ethical principles Informed Consent Participants were not informed about the true nature of the study or the re... View the full answer