privatebiscuit
New member
- Nov 21, 2011
- 0
- 0
- 0
I was looking for a measure of several personality constructs and I came across an inventory that measures most of constructs I was interested in; however, the full measure has not been published in academic journals although it written about and studied. I found the organization that developed and controls the measure charges individuals and businesses to have the test administered for either personal or hiring practices. They also allow researchers such as myself to use the measure for free or a reduced cost if they feel the research meets a set of criteria of value that they establish.
The measure can be taken online entirely for free and people can get a very vague report of their performance for free. I took the test and copied each of the 100+ items and them had a small group take the measure and conducted a factor analysis to group common items together so I could figure out which items belonged to each construct. I used that information to determine the order the items were arranged so I know which items measured which construct.
My question is: Would it ethical to use the test that they published online (they would be referenced and thus awarded credit for the development of the measure) and report my findings without their permission?
I am biased in thinking that it isn't, for several reasons. First, it is online for the world to see. Second, they control the measure to insure both profitability, something I am not attempting take away as I wouldn't publish the test and I am not using the measure to acquire money. Third, they are more concerned with avoiding and protecting their measure from criticism rather than advancing scientific knowledge and understanding. As I described earlier they can deny use of their test if they feel that the proposed research would not support their measure or agenda. And lastly, this organization is not a business, they are a tax exempt academic research organization who are working to advance a field in an academia.
Thanks for your responses.
The measure can be taken online entirely for free and people can get a very vague report of their performance for free. I took the test and copied each of the 100+ items and them had a small group take the measure and conducted a factor analysis to group common items together so I could figure out which items belonged to each construct. I used that information to determine the order the items were arranged so I know which items measured which construct.
My question is: Would it ethical to use the test that they published online (they would be referenced and thus awarded credit for the development of the measure) and report my findings without their permission?
I am biased in thinking that it isn't, for several reasons. First, it is online for the world to see. Second, they control the measure to insure both profitability, something I am not attempting take away as I wouldn't publish the test and I am not using the measure to acquire money. Third, they are more concerned with avoiding and protecting their measure from criticism rather than advancing scientific knowledge and understanding. As I described earlier they can deny use of their test if they feel that the proposed research would not support their measure or agenda. And lastly, this organization is not a business, they are a tax exempt academic research organization who are working to advance a field in an academia.
Thanks for your responses.