Dealing with specific ethical issues

Question 1

Valid consent

Answer 1

• participants are asked to formally indicate their agreement to participate by signing a document which contains comprehensive information concerning the nature and purpose of the research

Disadvantages
- if a participant is given full information about a study then this may invalidate the purpose of the study
- if researchers have obtained valid consent that does not guarantee that participants really do understand what they have let themselves in for

Question 2

Deception

Answer 2

• the need for deception should be approved by an ethics committee, weighing up benefits against the costs to participants
• participants should be fully debriefed after the study - this involves them informing them of the true nature of the study
  -participants should be offered the opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have and to withhold their data from the study

Disadvantages
- cost benefit decisions are flawed because they involve subjective judgement and the costs and benefits are not always apparent until after the study
- debriefing cannot turn the clock back and the participants may still feel embarrassed or have lowered self esteem

Question 3

Risk of harm

Answer 3

• avoid any risks greater than experienced in everyday life - stop the study if harm is suspected

Disadvantages
- harm may not be apparent at the time of the study and only judged later with hindsight

Question 4

Confidentiality

Answer 4

-researchers should not record the names of any participants, they should use numbers or fake names

Disadvantages- it is sometimes possible to work out who the participants were by using information that has already been provided e.g the geographical location of a school

Question 5

Privacy

Answer 5

• do not study anyone without their valid consent unless it is a public space where public behaviour is exhibited

Disadvantages
- there is no universal agreement about what constitutes a public place