Case 34. Confidentiality of Information Obtained
during the Course of a Sociologist's Work

Situation

Dr. Sophie Lieber is overseeing a large survey-based study. Subjects are accessed via random- digit dialing and then interviewed by one of several interviewers supervised by Lieber. Informants are assured that the interviews are anonymous and confidential. One afternoon Lieber receives a call from an interviewer who is distraught. The interviewer explains that while he was interviewing a male "head-of-household," the informant asked him to hold because he had "to deal with his kid."  The interviewer then heard what seemed to be screaming, and slapping and crashing sounds in the background. The noise was followed by silence which was only interrupted when the informant returned to the phone and said: "That should keep him quiet for a while; what else do you want to know?"

Questions

1.    What obligation does Professor Lieber have to take action having heard what the interviewer has to say?
2.    What are the possible actions that Professor Lieber might consider?
3.    What implications, if any, do her actions have for the profession?



     Reflect on the above questions and form your own answers before clicking the Discussion key to review the commentary provided with this case.

Discussion

Does what she heard on the phone constitute child abuse? It is difficult to tell from what was actually recorded. The ethical issue here does not focus so much on what happened in the past but whether there is future danger for the child. The dilemma that Dr. Lieber faces is  whether the child is at risk despite what happened during the phone conversation. Both definitions and legal responsibilities to report child abuse and elder abuse vary from state to state. Dr. Lieber would certainly want to consult university legal counsel about any legal obligation and/or liability in this situation. In addition, Professor Lieber needs to be sure that her interviewers and all other personnel on the project are well trained and well informed on these kinds of issues. She has the responsibility to assure that all interviewers understand the nature of problems like this, they are obligated to inform her of any such problems, and that they must maintain the confidentiality agreements even under such circumstances and work through the project supervisors to handle problem situations.