Demand Characterisitics And Ethics Flashcards
What are demand characteristics?
During the research process there are likely to be instances of interaction between the researcher and the participant
These interactions can affect the findings of the research
Participants often look for clues as to what is expected of them and what the researcher is looking for
What could demand characteristics include?
The participant guessing the purpose of the research and trying to please the researcher by acting in the desired way or giving the answers they think the researcher is hoping to find
The participant guessing the purpose of the research and trying to annoy the researcher by purposely giving the wrong results, this is known as the ‘screw you’ effect
The participant may also change their behaviour and act unnaturally out of fear, nervousness and even Social desirability
What are investigator effects?
Investigator effects are when the researcher influences the results of the research
What could investigator effects include?
-The researcher could be biased in their interpretation of data (which may be unconscious), forming conclusions which support their experimental hypothesis
-The researcher’s characteristics, such as age, gender and ethnicity, could influence how participants interact with them e.g. they may remind a participant of a schoolmate who bullied them or a schoolmate they had a crush on!
-Other personal characteristics of the researcher such as their accent and tone of voice can impact how participants react to them and to the research process generally
Why do researchers have to consider the ethics of experiments?
in place to ensure the health and dignity of participants are protected during psychological research
Researchers have to consider all ethical issues within research before it is conducted
The British Psychological Society (BPS) has a published code of conduct that all psychologists must follow
Ethical committees are in place at universities and research institutions to review proposed research and ensure they abide by the BPS code of conduct
What is informed consent?
Participants should have detailed information about the research to be able to make a informed decision about taking part in the research
If participants are below the age of 16, parental consent needs to be gained
Those who are under the influence of alcohol or drugs are not able to give formed consent
What is protection of participants?
Participants must leave the research in the same physical and mental state they started it
Participants must be protected from both physical and mental harm
What is avoidance of deception?
If the participant is likely to object once they are debriefed, deception should not have happened
Unless there is medical or scientific justification, participants should not be deceived
When deception is needed in research, informed consent cannot be gained and instead consent still needs to be gained ethically
What is prior general consent?
participants agree to be deceived but do not know how they will be deceived. This can effect participants behaviour as they are waiting to be deceived
What is presumptive consent?
consent is gained from people who have a similar background to the participants and if they say they would have consented to take part, then it is deemed the actual participants would have also
What is retrospective consent?
This requires asking the participants for formed consent after the research has taken place.
What is confidentiality?
Participants data should not be disclosed
Numbers should be used instead of names
Confidential data means it can be traced back to the participants
Anonymous data means it cannot be traced back to the participants
What is briefing/debriefing?
All relevant information should be adequately explained to participants both before and after the study takes place
If deception has been used, the debrief is important to explain this and ensure participants understand the true reasons for the research
What is right to withdraw?
Participants should be aware they have the right to withdraw from the study/research at any time, even after it has finished
What is incentives to take part?
Participants should not receive or offered bribes or promises to take part
