7.2: Ethical issues Flashcards
Ethical issues
Ethical issues are the rules governing the conduct of researchers in investigations
Ethics can be defined as what?
Ethics can be defined as the:
1. Science of morals
Or,
2. Rules of behaviour
It is important to adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure that all participants are what?
It is important to adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure that all participants are protected from harm
It is important to adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure that all participants are protected from harm.
This will give psychology what and should mean that participants will be willing to do what?
This:
- Will give psychology a good name
- Should mean that participants will be willing to take part again in any future research
It is important to adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure that all participants are protected from harm.
This will give psychology a good name and should mean that participants will be willing to take part again in any future research.
This is very important, because participants are vital for what?
This is very important, because participants are vital for psychological research
It is important to adhere to ethical guidelines to ensure that all participants are protected from harm.
This will give psychology a good name and should mean that participants will be willing to take part again in any future research.
This is very important, because participants are vital for psychological research.
Any psychological harm suffered by participants would do what?
Any psychological harm suffered by participants would:
- Give psychology a bad name
- Deter further participation in research
Ethical issues involve researchers assessing and acting upon all ethical considerations involved in a research study before it is conducted.
The main consideration is that the what of participants should be protected?
The main consideration is that the:
1. Health
2. Dignity
of participants should be protected
Ethical issues involve researchers assessing and acting upon all ethical considerations involved in a research study before it is conducted.
The main consideration is that the health and dignity of participants should be protected.
Who has published what that all psychologists should follow?
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow
Ethical issues involve researchers assessing and acting upon all ethical considerations involved in a research study before it is conducted.
The main consideration is that the health and dignity of participants should be protected.
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow and most research institutions, like universities, have what?
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow and most research institutions, like universities, have ethical committees
Ethical issues involve researchers assessing and acting upon all ethical considerations involved in a research study before it is conducted.
The main consideration is that the health and dignity of participants should be protected.
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow and most research institutions, like universities, have ethical committees that have to do what?
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow and most research institutions, like universities, have ethical committees that have to approve research projects before they commence
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow.
This Code of Ethics is based on what?
This Code of Ethics is based on 4 ethical principles:
- Respect
- Competence
- Responsibility
- Integrity
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow.
This Code of Ethics is based on 4 ethical principles - Respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.
Respect:
Psychologists should respect individual, cultural and role differences.
Psychologists should avoid practices that are unfair or prejudiced.
The ethical guidelines of what are part of the principle of respect?
The ethical guidelines of: 1. Informed consent 2. The right to withdraw 3. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity are part of the principle of respect
Psychologists should develop and maintain a comprehensive awareness of professional ethics.
Psychologists should recognise what and accept what?
Psychologists:
- Should recognise that ethical dilemmas will inevitably arise in the course of professional practice
- Accept their responsibility to attempt to resolve such dilemmas
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow.
This Code of Ethics is based on 4 ethical principles - Respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.
Responsibility:
Psychologists value their responsibilities to the general public and the profession and science of psychology, including the avoidance of harm and the prevention of what?
Psychologises value their responsibilities to the general public and the profession and science of psychology, including the:
- Avoidance of harm
- Prevention of misuse or abuse of their contributions to society
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow.
This Code of Ethics is based on 4 ethical principles - Respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.
Responsibility:
Psychologises value their responsibilities to the general public and the profession and science of psychology, including the avoidance of harm and the prevention of misuse or abuse of their contributions to society.
The ethical guidelines of what are part of the principle of responsibility?
The ethical guidelines of:
1. Protection of participants
2. Debriefing
are part of the principle of responsibility
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow.
This Code of Ethics is based on 4 ethical principles - Respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.
Integrity:
Psychologists value honesty, accuracy, clarity and fairness in their interactions with all people and seek to promote integrity in all areas of their scientific and professional endeavours.
The ethical guideline of what is part of the principle of integrity?
The ethical guideline of avoidance of deception is part of the principle of integrity
The Code of Ethics includes:
1. Informed what?
Informed consent
The Code of Ethics includes:
1. Informed consent.
Investigators should give participants what that they can make a what?
Investigators should give participants sufficient details of the:
1. Nature
2. Purpose
3. Anticipated consequences
of an investigation or any research participation that they can make a considered choice as to whether they wish to participate
The Code of Ethics includes:
1. Informed consent.
Investigators should give participants sufficient details of the nature, purpose and anticipated consequences of an investigation or any research participation that they can make a considered choice as to whether they wish to participate.
Ideally, the researcher should gain informed consent when?
Ideally, the researcher should gain informed consent at the beginning of research
The Code of Ethics includes:
1. Informed consent.
Investigators should give participants sufficient details of the nature, purpose and anticipated consequences of an investigation or any research participation that they can make a considered choice as to whether they wish to participate.
Ideally, the researcher should gain informed consent at the beginning of research.
If participants are under the age 16, what should be obtained?
If participants are under the age 16, parental consent should be obtained
The Code of Ethics includes:
1. Informed consent.
Investigators should give participants sufficient details of the nature, purpose and anticipated consequences of an investigation or any research participation that they can make a considered choice as to whether they wish to participate.
Ideally, the researcher should gain informed consent at the beginning of research.
If participants are under the age 16, parental consent should be obtained.
Informed consent cannot be gained from those what?
Informed consent cannot be gained from those:
1. Under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Or,
2. Who are mentally unfit to give consent
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of what?
Avoidance of deception
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
What is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed?
The: 1. Withholding of information Or, 2. Misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
The withholding of information or misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
Intentional deception over what should be avoided?
Intentional deception over the:
1. Purpose
2. General nature of investigations
should be avoided
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
The withholding of information or misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
Intentional deception over the purpose and the general nature of investigations should be avoided.
Participants should not deliberately be misled without what justification?
Participants should not deliberately be misled without: 1. Scientific Or, 2. Medical justification
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
The withholding of information or misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
Intentional deception over the purpose and the general nature of investigations should be avoided.
Participants should not deliberately be misled without scientific or medical justification.
If deception occurs, what cannot be gained from participants?
If deception occurs, informed consent cannot be gained from participants
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
The withholding of information or misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
Intentional deception over the purpose and the general nature of investigations should be avoided.
Participants should not deliberately be misled without scientific or medical justification.
If deception occurs, informed consent cannot be gained from participants.
Intentional deception such as lying to participants and misleading them about the aims or other aspects involved must be avoided as much as possible unless deception is what?
Intentional deception such as:
1. Lying to participants
2. Misleading them about the aims or other aspects involved
must be avoided as much as possible unless deception is necessary in exceptional circumstances
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
The withholding of information or misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
Intentional deception over the purpose and the general nature of investigations should be avoided.
Participants should not deliberately be misled without scientific or medical justification.
If deception occurs, informed consent cannot be gained from participants.
Intentional deception such as lying to participants and misleading them about the aims or other aspects involved must be avoided as much as possible unless deception is necessary in exceptional circumstances to preserve what?
Intentional deception such as:
1. Lying to participants
2. Misleading them about the aims or other aspects involved
must be avoided as much as possible unless deception is necessary in exceptional circumstances to preserve the integrity of the research
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
The withholding of information or misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
Intentional deception over the purpose and the general nature of investigations should be avoided.
Participants should not deliberately be misled without scientific or medical justification.
If deception occurs, informed consent cannot be gained from participants.
Intentional deception such as lying to participants and misleading them about the aims or other aspects involved must be avoided as much as possible unless deception is necessary in exceptional circumstances to preserve the integrity of the research.
It is often necessary that participants do not know the purpose of a study in order to get what?
It is often necessary that participants do not know the purpose of a study in order to get realistic results
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
The withholding of information or misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
Intentional deception over the purpose and the general nature of investigations should be avoided.
Participants should not deliberately be misled without scientific or medical justification.
If deception occurs, informed consent cannot be gained from participants.
Intentional deception such as lying to participants and misleading them about the aims or other aspects involved must be avoided as much as possible unless deception is necessary in exceptional circumstances to preserve the integrity of the research.
It is often necessary that participants do not know the purpose of a study in order to get realistic results.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with how?
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner.
How can you achieve this?
There are a number of ways to achieve this:
- Presumptive consent
- Prior general consent
- Retrospective consent
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, presumptive consent, prior general consent and retrospective consent.
Presumptive consent is gained from what?
Presumptive consent is gained from people of a similar background to participants in a study
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, presumptive consent, prior general consent and retrospective consent.
1. Presumptive consent is gained from people of a similar background to participants in a study.
If they state that they would have been willing to participate, then it is deemed what?
If they state that they would have been willing to participate, then it is deemed that the actual participants would, too
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, presumptive consent, prior general consent and retrospective consent.
1. Presumptive consent is gained from people of a similar background to participants in a study.
If they state that they would have been willing to participate, then it is deemed that the actual participants would, too.
2. Prior general consent involves participants what?
Prior general consent involves participants agreeing to be deceived without knowing how they will be deceived
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, presumptive consent, prior general consent and retrospective consent.
1. Presumptive consent is gained from people of a similar background to participants in a study.
If they state that they would have been willing to participate, then it is deemed that the actual participants would, too.
2. Prior general consent involves participants agreeing to be deceived without knowing how they will be deceived.
As participants know they will deceived, this can do what?
As participants know they will be deceived, this can affect their behaviour
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, presumptive consent, prior general consent and retrospective consent.
1. Presumptive consent is gained from people of a similar background to participants in a study.
If they state that they would have been willing to participate, then it is deemed that the actual participants would, too.
2. Prior general consent involves participants agreeing to be deceived without knowing how they will be deceived.
As participants know they will be deceived, this can affect their behaviour.
3. Retrospective consent involves what?
Retrospective consent involves asking participants for consent after they have participated in a study
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner.
There are a number of ways to achieve this, presumptive consent, prior general consent and retrospective consent.
1. Presumptive consent is gained from people of a similar background to participants in a study.
If they state that they would have been willing to participate, then it is deemed that the actual participants would, too.
2. Prior general consent involves participants agreeing to be deceived without knowing how they will be deceived.
As participants know they will be deceived, this can affect their behaviour.
3. Retrospective consent involves asking participants for consent after they have participated in a study.
However, they may what and yet have already taken part?
They:
- May not consent
- Yet have already taken part
The Code of Ethics includes:
2. Avoidance of deception.
The withholding of information or misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once debriefed.
Intentional deception over the purpose and the general nature of investigations should be avoided.
Participants should not deliberately be misled without scientific or medical justification.
If deception occurs, informed consent cannot be gained from participants.
Intentional deception such as lying to participants and misleading them about the aims or other aspects involved must be avoided as much as possible unless deception is necessary in exceptional circumstances to preserve the integrity of the research.
It is often necessary that participants do not know the purpose of a study in order to get realistic results.
In such cases, deception must be dealt with in an ethical manner.
If deception is used, participants must be what?
If deception is used, participants must be:
- Told immediately afterwards
- Given the chance to withhold their data from the study
The Code of Ethics includes:
3. An adequate what?
An adequate briefing/debriefing
The Code of Ethics includes:
3. An adequate briefing/debriefing.
A way to overcome breaking ethical guidelines after a piece of unethical research has been conducted is to do what?
A way to overcome breaking ethical guidelines after a piece of unethical research has been conducted is to debrief your participants
The Code of Ethics includes:
3. An adequate briefing/debriefing.
A way to overcome breaking ethical guidelines after a piece of unethical research has been conducted is to debrief your participants.
However, debriefing does not provide what for what?
Debriefing does not provide justification for unethical aspects of a study
The Code of Ethics includes:
3. An adequate briefing/debriefing.
A way to overcome breaking ethical guidelines after a piece of unethical research has been conducted is to debrief your participants.
However, debriefing does not provide justification for unethical aspects of a study.
What should be explained to participants before and afterwards?
All relevant details of a study should be explained to participants:
- Before
- Afterwards
The Code of Ethics includes:
3. An adequate briefing/debriefing.
A way to overcome breaking ethical guidelines after a piece of unethical research has been conducted is to debrief your participants.
However, debriefing does not provide justification for unethical aspects of a study.
All relevant details of a study should be explained to participants before and afterwards.
A debrief is important if deception has been used.
Participants should leave the study in no worse state than when they started it.
It is the researchers’ responsibility to provide participants with any necessary information they need to do what?
It is the researchers’ responsibility to provide participants with any necessary information they need to:
- Complete their understanding of the study
- Check that participants have not suffered any psychological or physical harm
The Code of Ethics includes:
3. An adequate briefing/debriefing.
A way to overcome breaking ethical guidelines after a piece of unethical research has been conducted is to debrief your participants.
However, debriefing does not provide justification for unethical aspects of a study.
All relevant details of a study should be explained to participants before and afterwards.
A debrief is important if deception has been used.
Participants should leave the study in no worse state than when they started it.
It is the researchers’ responsibility to provide participants with any necessary information they need to complete their understanding of the study and check that participants have not suffered any psychological or physical harm.
If the participants have been deceived in any way or consent not gained, the researchers should fully do what?
If:
1. The participants have been deceived in any way
Or,
2. Consent not gained
,the researchers should fully explain the true purpose of the study
The Code of Ethics includes:
4. P of participants?
Protection of participants
The Code of Ethics includes:
4. Protection of participants.
Investigators have a responsibility to protect participants from what during the investigation?
Investigators have a responsibility to protect participants from:
1. Physical
2. Mental
harm during the investigation
The Code of Ethics includes:
4. Protection of participants.
Investigators have a responsibility to protect participants from physical and mental harm during the investigation.
What must be no greater than in ordinary life?
Risk of harm must be no greater than in ordinary life
The Code of Ethics includes:
5. The right to do what?
The right to withdraw
The Code of Ethics includes:
5. The right to withdraw.
Participants should be aware that they can do what?
Participants should be aware that they can leave a study at any time
The Code of Ethics includes:
5. The right to withdraw.
Participants should be aware that they can leave a study at any time and can even do what?
Participants should be aware that they can:
- Leave a study at any time
- Even withdraw their data and recordings after the study has finished
The Code of Ethics includes:
5. The right to withdraw.
Participants should be aware that they can leave a study at any time and can even withdraw their data and recordings after the study has finished.
Investigators should make it clear to the participants of their right to withdraw from the investigation at any time, irrespective of what?
Investigators should make it clear to the participants of their right to withdraw from the investigation at any time, irrespective of:
1. Payment
Or,
2. Other inducements
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. P and what?
Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be what unless agreed in advance?
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed where?
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place’
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where people might expect to be observed by strangers.
All what gathered relating to specific what must be kept confidential?
All: 1. Results Or, 2. Information gathered relating to specific individuals must be kept confidential
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where people might expect to be observed by strangers.
All results or information gathered relating to specific individuals must be kept confidential.
Names or what should not be released?
- Names
Or, - Details of participants
should not be released
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where people might expect to be observed by strangers.
All results or information gathered relating to specific individuals must be kept confidential.
Names or details of participants should not be released.
What should be used instead of names in published research papers?
Numbers should be used instead of names in published research papers
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where what?
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where people might expect to be observed by strangers
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where people might expect to be observed by strangers.
All results or information gathered relating to specific individuals must be kept confidential.
Names or details of participants should not be released.
Numbers should be used instead of names in published research papers.
Confidentiality means that data can be traced back to what?
Confidentiality means that data can be traced back to names
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where people might expect to be observed by strangers.
All results or information gathered relating to specific individuals must be kept confidential.
Names or details of participants should not be released.
Numbers should be used instead of names in published research papers.
Confidentiality means that data can be traced back to names, whereas anonymous data cannot, because what?
Confidentiality means that data can be traced back to names, whereas anonymous data cannot, because the researchers collect no names
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where people might expect to be observed by strangers.
All results or information gathered relating to specific individuals must be kept confidential.
Names or details of participants should not be released.
Numbers should be used instead of names in published research papers.
Confidentiality means that data can be traced back to names, whereas anonymous data cannot, because the researchers collect no names.
Confidential data collection is preferable when?
Confidential data collection is preferable in cases where participants might be followed up later
The Code of Ethics includes:
6. Privacy and confidentiality/anonymity.
Participants’ privacy should be respected and participants’ data should not be disclosed to anyone unless agreed in advance.
In the case of observational research, you should only expect to be observed in a ‘public place,’ where people might expect to be observed by strangers.
All results or information gathered relating to specific individuals must be kept confidential.
Names or details of participants should not be released.
Numbers should be used instead of names in published research papers.
Confidentiality means that data can be traced back to names, whereas anonymous data cannot, because the researchers collect no names.
Confidential data collection is preferable in cases where participants might be followed up later.
Participants should be made aware where any what may occur?
Participants should be made aware where any breach of confidentiality may occur
The Code of Ethics includes:
7. What to take part?
Incentives to take part
The Code of Ethics includes:
7. Incentives to take part.
Participants should not be offered what or promised what?
Participants should not be:
1. Offered bribes
Or,
2. Promised rewards for their participation
The Code of Ethics includes:
7. Incentives to take part.
Participants should not be offered bribes or promised rewards for their participation, because this does what?
Participants should not be:
1. Offered bribes
Or,
2. Promised rewards for their participation
,because this puts pressure on them to take part
The cost benefit analysis:
Psychologists must ‘weigh up’ what?
Psychologists must ‘weigh up’ the:
- Benefits to society that may be gained by testing new theories
- Costs to the participants within the research
The cost benefit analysis:
Psychologists must ‘weigh up’ the benefits to society that may be gained by testing new theories and the costs to the participants within the research.
This may often produce what?
This may often produce conflict about treating the participants ethically
The cost benefit analysis:
Psychologists must ‘weigh up’ the benefits to society that may be gained by testing new theories and the costs to the participants within the research.
This may often produce conflict about treating the participants ethically.
Example
For example, if:
1. Informed consent is obtained
2. No deception is used in the study
,the participants are being treated ethically, but they are not naïve, so this could affect the results of the study
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow and most research institutions, like universities, have ethical committees that have to approve research projects before they commence.
Researchers should also, before conducting research, seek peer advice (advice from colleagues), consult likely participants for their views, consider alternative research methodologies, establish a cost-benefit analysis of short-term and long-term consequences and assume responsibility for the research.
If, during the research process, it becomes clear that there are negative consequences resulting from what (like what)?
If, during the research process, it becomes clear that there are negative consequences resulting from the research (like harm to the participants)
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow and most research institutions, like universities, have ethical committees that have to approve research projects before they commence.
Researchers should also, before conducting research, seek peer advice (advice from colleagues), consult likely participants for their views, consider alternative research methodologies, establish a cost-benefit analysis of short-term and long-term consequences and assume responsibility for the research.
If, during the research process, it becomes clear that there are negative consequences resulting from the research (like harm to the participants), what should be stopped and every effort made to do what?
If, during the research process, it becomes clear that there are negative consequences resulting from the research (like harm to the participants):
- The research should be stopped
- Every effort made to correct the negative consequences
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow and most research institutions, like universities, have ethical committees that have to approve research projects before they commence.
Researchers should also, before conducting research, seek peer advice (advice from colleagues), consult likely participants for their views, consider alternative research methodologies, establish a cost-benefit analysis of short-term and long-term consequences and assume responsibility for the research.
If, during the research process, it becomes clear that there are negative consequences resulting from the research (like harm to the participants), the research should be stopped and every effort made to correct the negative consequences.
What should any researcher having ethical concerns about a colleague’s work do?
Any researcher having ethical concerns about a colleague’s work should contact them in the first instance
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has published a Code of Ethics that all psychologists should follow and most research institutions, like universities, have ethical committees that have to approve research projects before they commence.
Researchers should also, before conducting research, seek peer advice (advice from colleagues), consult likely participants for their views, consider alternative research methodologies, establish a cost-benefit analysis of short-term and long-term consequences and assume responsibility for the research.
If, during the research process, it becomes clear that there are negative consequences resulting from the research (like harm to the participants), the research should be stopped and every effort made to correct the negative consequences.
Any researcher having ethical concerns about a colleague’s work should contact them in the first instance and, if their concerns are not met, do what?
Any researcher having ethical concerns about a colleague’s work should:
- Contact them in the first instance
- If their concerns are not met, contact the British Psychologist Society (BPS)
