Ethical issues in research

Question 1

What are ethical issues?

Answer 1

These arise when conflicts exist between the rights of the participants in research studies and the goals of the research to produce authentic, valid and worldwide data

Question 2

What is the BPS code of ethics

Answer 2

A quasi-legal document produced by the British Psychological Society (BPS) that instructs psychologists what behaviour is and is not acceptable when dealing with participants. It. is built around 4 major principles; respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.

Question 3

What are practises that raise ethical issues?

Answer 3

Conducting research without informed consent
Deception
Putting participants at elevated risk of harm
Incorrect use of confidential data/results

Question 4

How do we provide informed consent?

Answer 4

Using a consent form and informing ppts within the form any relevant information such as key aims, procedures and expectations
Consent is sought with a signature and a date

Question 5

How do we deceive ethically?

What are solutions to deception?

Answer 5

Deception means deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants at any stage of the investigation. participants who have not received adequate information about the study when they agreed to take part cannot be said to have given informed consent. 
Solutions include:
Presumptive consent 
Prior general consent
Retrospective consent

Question 6

What does protection from harm mean within a research study and what are solutions to avoid harm from occurring?

Answer 6

The risk of harm should be no greater than participants expect in day to day life
Participants should leave the study ‘unchanged’
Refers to physical and psychological harm
Solution: the right to withdraw from the experiment at any point before or during the study

Question 7

How do we maintain confidentiality of data and results?

Answer 7

Avoid use of participant data

Maintain anonymity: use of numbers or initials to refer to participants

Question 8

What is a debrief?

Answer 8

Reveals the aims
Explains any deception 
Reassures participants about their behaviour or performance 
Offer retrospective withdrawal 
Ensures confidentiality and anonymity 
Request feedback

Question 9

What is a pilot study and its purpose within a research study?

Answer 9

A small scale version of a study that occurs prior to the real study

Its purpose is to:
Identify problems with the procedure
To make modifications
To save money and time in the long run