Ethical considerations Flashcards
What is confidentiality?
The privacy, protection and security of a participant’s personal information.
- in terms of personal details and anonymity in individual results
- including the removal of identifying factors
How can the researcher uphold confidentiality?
- Removing personal details and identifying elements in conclusion,
- Not using or disclosing private information for any purpose other than which it was given to them.
What is debriefing?
At the end of experiment, participant leaves understanding experimental aim, results and conclusions.
- providing support for participant to ensure no further harm has been caused from study.
How can the researcher debrief participant?
Ensure all questions have been addressed, providing support so no lasting harm from involvement exists.
> e.g providing information on counselling services etc.
What are the informed consent procedures?
Participants understand the nature and purpose of the experiment, including potential risks (physical and psychological), before agreeing to participate in study.
How can researchers uphold informed consent procedures?
Ensure written consent is given, or parent/legal guardian provides this.
Consent if voluntary and must be based on sufficient information.
What is use of deception?
When researcher deliberately conceals true purpose of experiment from participants by misleading or misinforming them.
> discouraged as it violates ethical requirement for informed consent
How can a researcher ensure use of deception is ethical?
By debriefing the participants, and ensuring no further harm has occurred due to experiment.
> provide support, answer all questions.
What is voluntary participation?
No coercion or pressure is put on participant to partake in experiment, they freely choose to be involved.
How can a researcher uphold voluntary participation?
Not placing any pressure to partake in experiment, ensuring that prospective participants do not experience negative consequences if they choose not to take part.
What are withdrawal rights?
Where the participant is able to discontinue their involvement in experiment at any time during or after conclusion of experiment without penalty.
> may include removal of participant’s information after study is completed.
> have the right to withdraw without giving a reason.
How can a researcher uphold withdrawal rights?
Explain to participants before study commences, ensure participants suffer no negative consequences as a result of withdrawing from study
What is beneficence?
The consideration of the benefits or gains from research in relation to the risks
- do the possible advantages of my research outweigh the negatives?
What is integrity?
the commitment to search for knowledge, and then honestly report information and findings.
- is my research going to be biased? Am I searching for the truth or am I trying to be ‘right’?
What is justice?
Distribution of fair access to benefits of research to everyone, ensuring there is no burden to one group and ensuring that any opposing claims are considered.
