ethical issues Flashcards
what are ethical issues?
the rules governing the conduct of researchers in investigations
who published the code of ethics?
the british psychological society (BPS)
what is the code of ethics?
a set of officially approved rules for the conducting of moralistic practices within psychological research
what should researchers do before conducting research?
-have their ethical committee approve the research
-consult likely participants for their views
-consider alternate research methodologies
-establish a cost-benefit analysis of potential long-term and short-term consequences
-assume responsibility for the research
what are the 8 points of the code of ethics?
-informed consent
-avoidance of deception
-adequate briefing/debriefing
-protection of participants
-right to withdraw
-confidentiality/anonymity
-observational research
-incentives to take part
what is meant by informed consent?
participants should have sufficient details to choose whether or not to participate
parental consent needs to be obtained for under 16’s
cannot be gained from those under the influence of alcohol/drugs or mentally unfit
what is meant by avoidance of deception?
withholding info is unacceptable if the participant is likely to withdraw should they know
shouldn’t be deliberately mislead without scientific/medical justification
if deception occurs informed consent cannot be given
what are the 3 ways in which deception can be dealt with in an ethical manner?
-presumptive consent - if people of a similar background would consent, it’s deemed the actual participants would too
-prior general consent - participants agree to be deceived without knowing how
-retrospective consent - asking for consent after the study has happened
what is meant by adequate briefing/debriefing?
all relevant details should be explained, especially important if deception has been used
participants should leave the study in no worse state than when they started it
what does protection of participants mean?
from all physical and mental harm during the investigation
risk of harm must be no greater than normal life
what does right to withdraw mean?
participants must be aware they can leave at any time and withdraw their data, even if the study has finished
what does confidentiality/anonymity mean?
participants data shouldn’t be disclosed unless agreed to in advance
numbers should be used instead of names
confidentiality means they can be traced back for a possible follow up, anonymity means they cannot
what does observational research mean in terms of the code of ethics?
observations are only made in public places where people could expect to be observed by strangers
what does incentives to take part mean?
participants shouldn’t be offered bribes/promised rewards for taking part (it puts pressure on them to stay etc)
