Ethical Considerations in Psychological Research Flashcards
Define ethics in psychology
Moral principles and codes of behaviours that apply to all psychologists, regardless of the field in which they work
What is the purpose of the Australian Psychological Society’s Code of Ethics?
To ensure the wellbeing of the client comes first
Name the researcher’s responsibilities in studies/research
- Research merit and integrity
- Justice
- Beneficence
- Respect
Explain research merit and integrity. Is it a responsibility or a right?
Research must have potential benefit, be soundly based and well-designed, and be conducted and supervised by competent people. It is a responsibility of the researcher.
Explain justice. Is it a responsibility or right?
Participants must be fairly recruited and not exploited, and there should be fair access to the benefits of research. It is a responsibility.
Explain beneficence. Is it a responsibility or right?
The likely benefits to the participant, community or both must justify any risks or discomfort to the participants. The benefits must outweigh the risks. It is a responsibility.
Explain respect, is it a responsibility or right?
Researchers must have proper regard for welfare, beliefs, customs and culture of participants. It is a responsibility.
Name the 5 rights of participants
- Confidentiality
- Informed consent
- Voluntary participation
- Right to withdraw
- Debriefing
Explain confidentiality; is it a responsibility or a right?
It is the participant’s right to privacy, in terms of access, storage and disposal of information collected about them related to the research.
A participant’s involvement in and results from an experiment cannot be disclosed to anyone unless written consent has been obtained.
Data must be securely stored and properly disposed of when finished with.
Participants must not be able to be identified in reporting results unless they have given written permission.
It is a participants’ right.
Explain informed consent; is it a responsibility or a right?
The researcher must obtain written, informed permission from each participant before experiment commences.
Participants must be informed about the research, its benefits and risks, what they will be expected to do, in a language they can understand.
For people with disabilities/children under 18 y.o. a parent/carer/guardian must give informed consent.
It is a right.
Explain voluntary participation; is it a responsibility or a right?
It ensures that a participant willingly decides to take part in experiment.
They must not be pressured or coerced to participate in any way.
Cannot be offered inducements to encourage participation
Cannot be threatened with negative consequences.
It is a right.
Explain the right to withdraw; is it a responsibility or a right?
Participants can withdraw from study at any stage, for any reason.
They must be informed of this before giving consent. They can withdraw without negative consequences or pressure to continue. They have the right to have results withdrawn from study.
It is a right of the participants.
Explain debriefing; is it a responsibility or a right?
It is where participants are informed of the study’s true purpose once the experiment has ended.
The researcher must correct any mistaken attitudes/beliefs and explain any deception related to the conduction of the experiment.
It provides opportunity for participants to gain access to information about study including procedures, results, conclusions. Researcher should provide access to additional support such as counselling as required.
It is a right
Explain deception in research.
When giving participants information about true nature of the study might affect their behaviour and therefor affect the results.
Should not occur unless necessary and must be used with caution.
Participants must be fully debriefed at the end of the study: giving participants full info on study; correcting any mistaken ideas about study, themselves, other participants.
