Wilson and Donnerstein (1976) suggested a method for including members of the general public as ethical consultants in cases where informed consent is not possible. The present study addresses methodological issues raised by their proposal. Results of an experiment indicate that phrasing of questions, interviewers' bias, and amount of information presented can have major effects on the way members of the general public respond. It is concluded that the method proposed by Wilson and Donnerstein (1976) for including members of the general public as ethical consultants has quite serious limitations.
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