Ethical Issues Flashcards
What are ethical issues?
Arise when a conflict exists between the rights of p’s and the goals of research to produce authentic and valid data
What is the BPS code of ethics?
A quasi-legal document produced by the BPS that instructs psychologists on what behaviour is acceptable when dealing with p’s
What is a cost benefit approach?
When you can break guidelines if you can justify your reasons and can find a way around the issue
What is deception?
When info is deliberately withheld from p’s or they are knowingly misled
Why is deception unethical?
Prevents p’s from giving fully informed consent so may be taking part in research against their views/beliefs
How to deal with deception?
- p’s fully debriefed
- given right to withdraw the publication of their results
- contact details of the experimenter given if p’s have any further questions
What is the right to withdraw?
P’s have the right to withdraw at any stage including after the research has been conducted (researcher must destroy any data collected)
Why is the right to withdraw unethical if broken?
P’s who aren’t given the right to withdraw may feel unnecessary stress and therefore aren’t protected from harm
How to deal with the right to withdraw if broken?
- p’s fully debriefed
- given right to withdraw the publication of their results
- contact details of the experimenter given if p’s have any further questions
What is informed consent?
P’s consent must be fully informed which means the aims of the research should be made clear before they agree to participate
Why is consent unethical if broken?
Lack of informed consent may mean p’s are taking part in research that goes against their wishes/beliefs
It’s possible that p’s may have felt obliged to take part especially if they haven’t given fully informed consent
How to deal with consent if broken?
- presumptive consent = gained from people of a similar background to p’s in a study, if they say they’re willing to take part then its deemed actual p’s would too
- prior general consent = p’s agree to be deceived without knowing how they will be deceived
- retrospective consent = asking p’s for consent after they have participated
- children = parental consent for children under 16 needed
What is privacy?
The right of individuals to decide how info about them will be communicated to others
Why is privacy unethical if broken?
A skilled researcher may obtain more info from a p than they wish to give which may be an invasion of privacy and the p may feel embarrassed
How to deal with privacy?
- p should provide fully informed consent and given the right to withdraw at any stage
- researcher should explain their info is protected and kept confidential
- no names published in final report and any written info destroyed
What is confidentiality?
Where a p’s personal info is protected by law under the data protection act both during and after the experiment
Why is confidentiality unethical if broken?
A persons data may be used by other parties against the p’s wishes
How to deal with confidentiality?
- p’s provided with fake name, number or initials to protect their identity and this shouldn’t be identifiable
What is protection from harm?
Psychologists have the responsibility of protecting their p’s from physical/psychological harm
The risk of harm must be no greater than what they are exposed to in everyday life
Why is protection from harm unethical if broken?
P’s should leave the research in the same state they entered and if they are harmed they may suffer from long term effects that could impact their lives
How to deal with protection from harm?
- p’s given right to withdraw
- researcher should terminate the experiment if the level of harm is higher than expected
- p’s should be debriefed and may be referred to counselling
What is a consent form and what does it contain?
When p’s take part in a study they are given a briefing so they can provide informed consent
- instructions of what they’re required to do
- told some/all aims
- told duration of the study
- area for them to sign and date
What is a debrief form and what does it contain?
P’s debriefed after the research study
- thanked for taking part
- true aims revealed
- p’s offered counselling services if they feel psychologically impacted
- p’s reminded they can withdraw their data at any point
- provided the researchers contact details
