Ethical issues in research Flashcards
BPS code of ethic & conduct principles
1.Intergrity
2.Respect
3.Responsibility
4.Competence
- Being honest + accurate in one’s decisions
Problem- Researcher + confirmation bias> researchers may choose data that best fits hypothesis so their findings may not be significant + decieve future researchers/ public - Valuing dignity of all persons w sensititvity to dynamics of percieved authority over persons w regards to ppls rights
Problem- Breaches ppts autonomy + dignity, decr protect from harrm which can decr credibility of research, impacts integrity of ppts + research
3.Value responsibilities to people + psychology, incl avoiding harm + preventing misuse of their contribution to society.
Problem- Harm to ppts, violation of confidentiality, compromises wellbeing of ppts
4.Members value continuing development + maintenance of competence in professional work + skills to make correct decisions
Problem- May lead to innacurate results, decr protect from harm for ppts, misinforming public. Decr credibility of research
Why do we need ethical guidelines in psych?
- Avoid psychological harm to ppts- humans feel pain so ethical issues considered to decide if research should be carried out
-Protect rights of ppts- esp children/ those in institutions, so psychologists should consult 2nd opinion + not work outside their area of competence
-Prevent ppts being pressured- if pressured, decr cred of research. Guidelines allow ppts to cooperate fully so incr cred of research
-Consent- if given, psychologists are protected from complaints post-exp
-Competence- means psychologists can be trusted to carry out research, ppts are more trusting, and so more studies can be done
Problems of ethical guidelines
- Demand characteristics (DCs)
> If psychs fully inform ppts on study,then incr DCs and decr int V of findings
-Protecting indiv vs harming the group
> Its psychs responsibility to protect ppts from harm, but the social group ppts identify with may be harmed due to research findings, limits what can be studied in psychology
-Protecting the indiv vs benefiting society
> Within etics, psychs not allowed to decieve/ distress ppts. But to investigate certain issues this may be necessary to benefit wider society eg Milgrams & studying obedience
SO cost benefit analysis model (Aronson 1992) developed
Issues with ethical guidelines
1.Consent
2.Debrief
3. Harm to ppts
4. Deception
5. Right to withdraw
1.Issues
-No chance to decieve, so incr DCs
-Limits research opportunities
-Some groups r vulnerable + may see consenting to a study as an obligation eg prisoners as a part of sentencing
Solution
- Presumtive consent as alt> others give consent on behalf of ppts
-Prior consent as alt > telling ppts they may be misinformed but not how/when
- Debriefing ppts @ end (right to withdraw)
- Issues
- Can decr data if ppts withdraw
- Not always possible to carry out
- Might not be thorough enough to remove psychological harm
Solution
- Shouldn’t occur if itll cause more harm to ppts
- Evidence of thorough debriefs eg Milgrams
- Gathering ppt data allows researcher to contact ppts post exp to ensure no remaining psych harm
3.Issue
-Can limit research
- Prevents study of soc sensitive research
Solution
- Informed consent
- Debrief
-Pilot study to assess cost to ppts
- Issue
- Incr DCs if theyre not decieved of aim, this renders the research pointless
- Can’t study same topics w/o deception
Solution
- Prior gen consent
- Debrief - Issue
- Can limit data if they withdraw
-Limits research opportunities if topics r likely to cause withdrawal
Solution
- Informed consent
- Cause no harm to ppts
- Pre-assess ppts to see those most likely to carry out exp
-Use larger sample to account for loss
Animal ethics
3R’s
1. Replacing- using alt animals (eg animals w no self-awareness)
2. Reducing- using min amount of animals
3. Refining- changing proceds to minimise suffering
