Ethical implications of research studies and theory

Question 1

Why are there ethical implications?

Answer 1

Such issues arise due to the conflict between psychology’s need to gain valid research findings whilst preserving the rights of the participants
- Ethical guidelines were created to protect participants and guide research

Question 2

What should be considered when conducting psychological research?

Answer 2

Consequences of the research in terms of the individual/s, the wider group and social policy
- Some areas of research have greater sensitivity than others

Question 3

What are examples of research with greater sensitivity?

Answer 3

A study on depression may have consequences for the individual, wider group and social policy
- an individual may reveal personal info
- study may imply that those with depression never recover = a risk as an employee
- may affect social policy through informing of preferred treatment methods

Question 4

What’s an example of research that isn’t sensitive?

Answer 4

Research on LTM in students
- unlikely to have consequences for the individual, wider group or social policy

Question 5

What are implications for the research process?

Answer 5

All psychological research has potential consequences
- all stages of planning and conducting must consider social sensitivity
- Must also be considered when handling the findings

Question 6

Who talks about research questions?

Answer 6

Sieber and Stanley
Kitzinger and Coyle

Question 7

What does Sieber and Stanley say?

Answer 7

Warn that the phrasing and investigations of research questions may influence the way findings are interpreted

Question 8

What does Kitzinger and Coyle add to this?

Answer 8

Note that research into relationships has been a form of ‘heterosexual bias’
- Homosexual relationships have been judged and compared to heterosexual norms

Question 9

How should participants be dealt with?

Answer 9

Informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm: very important factors to consider
- Participants may provide informed consent at the start but not fully understand the effects of the research

Question 10

What’s an example of dealing with participants?

Answer 10

In a study of domestic abuse, a participant study may fear that an ex partner will find out about their participation
- may also find it distressing to describe their experiences

Question 11

What about the way findings are used?

Answer 11

Researched should consider in advance the way findings may be used
- May impact on what data they collect
- Some findings may be seen as giving scientific credence to existing prejudice
- Sensitive info is exactly what the media are interested in and will publicise

Question 12

What’s an example of findings giving scientific credences to existing prejudices?

Answer 12

Examining the ethnic basis of intelligence

Question 13

What are strengths of socially sensitive research?

Answer 13

• Can have benefits for the group that has been studied
• Policy makers rely on socially sensitive research

Question 14

Why is ‘benefits for the group being studied’ a strength?

Answer 14

1952: the DSM-1 listed homosexuality as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’
- Removed in 1973

Question 15

What did Kinsley et al do?

Answer 15

Anonymous interviews with over 5000 men about their sexual behavior
- Concluded that homosexuality is typically expression of human sexual behaviour
- Shows the importance of researchers tackling topics that are sensitive

Question 16

Whose study added to ‘benefits to the group being studied’

Answer 16

Kinsley et al

Question 17

What is meant by ‘policy makers rely on socially sensitive research’ as a strength?

Answer 17

relied on for developing policy
- decisions relate to childcare, mental health provision etc.
- Preferable to base policies on research
- ONS (office for national statistics) collect, analyze and disseminate stats about the UK’s economy, society and population
- Data used in psych research
- Means psychologists must provide high quality research on socially sensitive topics

Question 18

What are limitations of socially sensitive research?

Answer 18

• Can be consequences for the group involved
• Poor research design can lead to incorrect findings

Question 19

What is meant by ‘can be consequences for the group involved’ as a limitation?

Answer 19

Could have been anticipated
- Research investigating the genetic basis of criminality has found a ‘criminal gene’
- Need for careful consideration of possible outcomes and their consequences
- such as: does it mean someone can be convicted on the basis of this gene? etc.

Question 20

What is meant by ‘poor research design can lead to incorrect findings’ as a limitation?

Answer 20

Once these are in public - continue to have an impact
- all research on socially sensitive topics should be conducted carefully
- Will be enduring effects on a certain group of people

Question 21

What’s an example of a study with poor research design and it’s findings?

Answer 21

• Burt established the 11+ exam
• Determines what secondary school a child attends (grammar or another)
• Impacts their later life opportunities
• Government based its policy on Burt’s twin study
• Alot of Burt’s data was fake
• 11+ still used in some parts of UK