Ethics: A Case Study from Fluency

From The Critics

Reviewer: Jeanne McHugh, M.S.(George Washington University)
Description: This book discusses the Tudor study as well as past and present ethical considerations related to stuttering research. It also includes a chapter providing basic information on stuttering and diagnosis.
Purpose: The purpose of this book, according to the authors, is to look in detail at "Wendell Johnson's diagnosogenic or semantogenic theory," and "to begin a critical review not only of the Tudor study..., but also of ethics in scientific research." Due to recent media attention given to this study, it seems to be a timely topic. The authors meet their objectives.
Audience: On the back cover, it states that, "Students and clinicians alike will find the accounts within this book engaging, stimulating and ultimately relevant." This book would be good for teachers/professors to use as an additional text to stimulate discussion regarding ethics and research.
Features: The positive aspect of this book is also its shortcoming, in that it discusses one particular study in detail. It is unique in that it demonstrates how ethics were/were not addressed in this particular study as opposed to just listing the rules and regulations associated with ethics in scientific research.
Assessment: This would be a useful tool in facilitating class discussions regarding ethics in scientific research. For those not in the field of speech-language pathology, the chapter providing brief, general information on stuttering and diagnosis is somewhat helpful to understand the information presented in the rest of the book.