10. ethics Flashcards
the role of the British Psychological Society’s code of ethics
(BPS) a professional body that covers the conduct of psychologists working in all areas and those conducting research
set ethical guidelines researchers have to follow
acronym to remember the guidelines
can consent
do deception
can’t confidentiality
do debrief
with right to withdraw
participants protect from harm, physical
and psychological
informed consent
participants should be informed in all aspects of the research or intervention that might influence their willingness to participate
with children or other vulnerable participants require special safeguarding procedures
deception
withholding information is unacceptable
international deception of the participants
protection of participants
not be harmed the the procedures
no stress or distress
not physical or emotional harm
no loss of self-esteem
right to withdraw
must be aware they can withdraw from the investigation at any stage, refuse to take part or withdraw results
debriefing
should leave as they entered
provided with necessary information
discuss experience of the research
confidentiality
except specified by the law information must be kept confidential
have a right to expect information provided to remain confidential or if published not identifiable
how to write ethics material/ consent form
included on the consent form
topic being investigated
explain what is expected during study
inform results and names will remain confidential
explain anything that might effect the willingness of participants to participate
tell they can withdraw at any point
leave space to sign
opportunity to ask questions
how to write ethics material/ debriefing form
done after research
thank participants for taking part
tell the specific hypothesis/ research question investigated
what you expected to find based on past research
remind results can be withdrawn
lower levels of anxiety and guide to support if needed
opportunity to ask questions
ethical issue deception
often necessary to deceive participants of true aims to avoid demand characteristics
participant is unable to give fully informed consent
psychologists may be seen as untrustworthy leading to less participants in future research
informed consent
means participants may show demand characteristics
made aware of potential benefits or risks of participating
cost benefit analysis
researchers judge the cost of doing the research against the benefits. eg could the results benefit wider society
ethics committee
institutions where research is carried out have an ethics committee to approve any study before it’s carried out
considers all possible ethical issues and how the researcher dealt with them
