Ethical Implications Of Research Studies And Theory Flashcards
Why do ethical issues like deception and privacy arise?
Because of conflict between psychology’s need to gain valid research findings whilst at the same time preserving the rights of participants.
Why were ethical guidelines established?
To protect ppts and guide researchers.
What do ethical implications concern?
The consequences that psychological research may have.
What is an example of one area of research having social sensitivity?
Research on LTM in a student population is unlikely to have consequences for individual pppts or broader social groups ppts represent however a study on depression may have consequences in terms of individual ppts, the wider social group they represent and social policy. E.g. an individual ppt may reveal personal info which is later accessed by a prospective employer or findings of the study may suggest people with depression never fully recover and therefore are a risk as an employee.
How can socially sensitive research affect social policy?
Findings of a study of depression could inform preferred treatment options recommended by the NHS.
What does all psychological research have and what does this mean all stages of planning and conducting studies are?
Potential consequences - important when thinking of socially sensitivity as well as later in handling the findings.
What do Sieber and STanley warn about research questions?
The way in which they are phrased and investigated may influence the way in which findings are interpreted. E.g. Kitzinger and Coyle note how research into relationships has been guilty of a form of heterosexual bias within which homosexual relationships were compared and judged against heterosexual norms.
What issues may be especially important with socially sensitive research?
Informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm.
What is an example of dealing with participants?
In a study on DV ppts may worry an ex-partner would find out about the study and also it is likely to be extremely stressful for ppts to describe their experiences. Such ppts may provide informed consent at the start of the study but not fully understand the effect of the research.
What should researchers consider in advance?
How research findings may be used which may impact what data is collected - important because findings from research may be seen as giving scientific credence to existing prejudices such as studies examining ethnic basis of intelligence.
What is an example of the media publishing social sensitive research?
Owen’s research on people in a minimally conscious state received enormous media attention at the time as it appeared he had made contact with patients who were thought to be unreachable.
Evaluation: socially sensitive research can have benefits for the group who have been studied.
For example homosexuality in 1952 was listed as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’ by the DSM-1 however this was removed in 1973. This was due to the Kinsey report based on anonymous interviews with over 5000 men about their sexual behaviours. The report concluded homosexuality was a typical expression of human sexual behaviour. This illustrates the importance of researchers tackling sensitive topics.
Evaluation: Counterpoint to SSR helping the group
In some studies there can be negative consequences for the group. For example research into genetic basis of criminality has found there is a ‘criminal gene’. If this is true does it mean someone should be convicted on the basis that they have the gene or should they be excused because they can’t be held responsible? This suggests when researching SS topics there is a need for careful consideration of the possible outcomes and their consequences.
Evaluation: certain groups rely on research related to SS issues
The governemnt looks to research when developing social policies e.g. decisions related to childcare, education and mental health etc. it is preferable to base these policies on scientific research rather than politically motivated views. For this reason there are indecent groups such as ONS who describe themselves as being responsible for collecting, analysing and disseminating objective statistics about the UK’s economy, society and population. This means psychologists have an important role to play in providing high quality research on socially sensitive topics.
Evaluation: poor research design may lead to enormous findings which once in the public arena continue to have an impact.
This was the case in Burt’s research because even after the fraud was exposed the 11+ was continued to be used. Access to independent schools is also based on a child’s performance in an entrance exam taken in Year 6 and is likely based on the same reasoning. Therefore any research on SS topics needs to be planned with the greatest care to ensure the findings are valid because of enduring effects on particular groups of people.
