ethical issues

Question 1

privacy

Answer 1

• Ensuring that participants are aware that they do not have to answer anything that may make them feel uncomfortable, thus protecting their privacy.
• In addition, you cannot observe people in private environments i.e. peeping through someone’s window, without their knowledge!

Question 2

deception

Answer 2

• Participants should not be deliberately lied to about the aim of the study and procedure.
• If participants are not told the true aim of the study, every step should be taken to ensure that there are no harmful effects to the participant.
• For example, a thorough debrief, counseling sessions, ethics committee there at all times to stop experiment if they feel that it is harming participants, etc.

Question 3

debrief

Answer 3

• After completing the research, the true aim is revealed to the participant.
• Aim of debriefing = is to return the person to the state s/he was in before they took part.
• We do this as briefing the participant (telling them what will happen in the study before they agree to take part) may lead to demand characteristics

Question 4

informed consent

Answer 4

• Psychologists should ensure that all participants are helped to understand fully all aspects of the research before they agree (give consent) to take part

Question 5

withdrawal (right to withdraw)

Answer 5

Participants should be aware that they can leave the study (or remove their data from the study) at any time, even if they have been paid to take part.

Question 6

protection from harm

Answer 6

• Participants should be protected from physical or mental harm, including stress - the risk of harm must be no greater than that to which they are exposed in everyday life,
• and must leave in the same emotional state that they were in when they entered

Question 7

confidentiality

Answer 7

Participants results and personal information should be kept safely and not released to anyone outside of the study.