Ethical Issues Flashcards
Intro to ethical issues
As psychologists work with members of the public to conduct research it is important to ensure that there are assurances and safeguards in place to enable participants to feel that they can trust the psychologists and not feel exploited or harmed. These safeguards must cover the way in which the research is conducted and the way in which research findings are presented and published. The British Psychological Society (BPS) regularly reviews its ethical guidelines to ensure the welfare of participants. The most recent update related to human research ethics was in Dec 2014.
The current BPS Code of Ethics and Conduct identifies four key ethical principles
- Respect
- Competence
- Responsibility
- Integrity
Respect
Valuing the dignity and worth of all individuals. These include an awareness of how psychologists may influence people and appear to have authority, and of people’s right to privacy. Of particular importance are the standards of informed consent, right to withdraw and confidentiality.
Competence
Valuing continual development as a psychologist and maintaining high standards of work. This includes functioning optimally and within the limits of one’s own knowledge, skill, training, education and experience.
Responsibility
Valuing the responsibilities of being a psychologist - to clients, the public and the profession and the science of psychology. This includes the avoidance of harm and the prevention of misuse or abuse of one’s contribution to society. Of particular importance are the standards of protection of participants and the role of the debrief.
Integrity
Valuing honesty, accuracy, clarity and fairness in interactions and seeking to promote these in scientific and professional work as a psychologist. Of particular importance is adherence to the standard relating to deception
Ethical issues
- Informed consent
- Right to withdraw
- Confidentiality
- Deception
- Protection of participant
- Debriefing
Informed consent
Whenever possible, the investigator should inform participants about all aspects of the study that they are going to take part in and the participants should agree (consent) to take part. Where research involves any persons less than 16 years of age, consent should be obtained from parents, guardians or teachers.
How to deal with informed consent
- A consent form must be completed from all participants
- The consent form must include information about what the participants are expected to do in the study and a space for them to sign and date.
- Participants should only sign the consent form if they fully understand and are willing to take part.
Right to withdraw
From the beginning of the study, investigators should make it clear to participants (including children) that they can stop their participation in the study at any point if they feel that they do not want to continue. This includes telling the researcher that they do not want their results to be used once they have completed the research
How to deal with the issue of RTW
Ensure that the participants are reminded of their right to withdraw in the consent form, standardised instructions and the debrief.
Confidentiality
Information obtained about a participant during an investigation is confidential unless otherwise agreed in advance. Participants have a right to expect that information they provide will not be able to be traced back to them.
How to deal with confidentiality
- do not name participants
- Use a pseudonym e.g. little hans or ‘participant 1’ or initials
Deception
The withholding of information or the misleading of participants about any aspect of the study is not allowed if the participants are typically likely to object or show unease once debriefed. Psychologists have a duty to be honest but some studies only work if participants don’t realise how the research situation has been set up.
How to deal with the situation of deception
-Tell participants as much as possible in standardised instructions and consent form.
