7. RESEARCH METHODS (Ethical issues and ways of dealing with them) Flashcards
What is the role of the British Psychological Society’s (BPS) Code of Ethics?
The BPS Code of Ethics provides guidelines for conducting research with human participants, ensuring that ethical standards are followed and participants’ rights and well-being are respected.
What are the key ethical principles outlined in the BPS Code of Ethics?
The key principles include:
* Consent
* Deception
* Debriefing
* Withdrawal from investigation
* Confidentiality
* Protection of participants
* Observational research
* Giving advice
* Colleagues
What is informed consent in psychological research?
Informed consent means that participants must be given full information about the study (e.g., aims, procedures, their rights), and they must voluntarily agree to participate without feeling coerced.
How can informed consent be obtained from participants?
A consent form should be completed by participants, detailing the study’s aims, procedures, right to withdraw, and data usage. If participants are under 16, consent should also be obtained from parents or guardians.
What are some alternative forms of consent when full informed consent is not possible?
- Presumptive consent: Asking people similar to the participants if they would agree to participate.
- Prior general consent: Asking volunteers if they would be willing to take part in studies involving deception or distress.
- Retrospective consent: Asking participants to consent after the study, once they have been debriefed.
What is deception in psychological research?
Deception involves deliberately misleading participants or withholding information about the study, which can violate informed consent if not justified.
When can deception be justified in psychological research?
Deception can be justified if it does not cause undue harm or distress, and it is essential for maintaining the study’s validity (e.g., preventing demand characteristics). Ethics committees must approve it.
How should deception be dealt with in research?
Researchers should fully debrief participants after the study, explaining the deception and its purpose. Participants should also be given the option to withdraw their data.
What is protection of participants in research?
Protection involves ensuring that participants are not exposed to physical or psychological harm beyond what they would experience in everyday life.
How should researchers protect participants from harm?
Researchers should design safe procedures, remind participants of their right to withdraw, and stop the study if harm or distress is suspected. If necessary, counselling should be provided.
What is confidentiality and how should it be handled?
Confidentiality means that personal data and identities must be kept private. Data should be anonymized, and participants should be reminded in the consent form, instructions, and debrief that their information will be protected.
What is the right to withdraw in psychological research?
Participants have the right to withdraw from a study at any time without penalty, including withdrawing their data after the study is completed.
How should the right to withdraw be communicated to participants?
Participants should be reminded of their right to withdraw in the consent form, instructions, and debrief. Researchers should ensure that the procedure does not pressure participants to continue.
What is debriefing in research?
Debriefing involves informing participants about the true nature of the study after it has been completed, allowing them to ask questions, ensuring they leave without distress, and providing support if necessary.
How should debriefing be carried out?
Researchers should explain the study’s aims, procedures, and any deception used. Participants should be reminded of their right to withdraw their data, and researchers should address any negative effects or distress caused during the study.
