Ethics Flashcards
What does high quality research involve?
High quality research involves:
- good ethical practice
- ethical issuesmust be fully considered before research is conducted
- most research institutions (such as universities)have ethical committees which meet to consider the ethics of research studies before they commence
- The British Psychological Society (BPS) publishes a code of ethics, which includesseveral rules that all investigators should follow
What is informed consent
Before taking part in a study, parts should sign a consent form = should explain the general purpose of study + what it will involve = no pressure to consent + can withdraw at any time + can withdraw data at any time
Parts assured that their data will be kept confidential + can ask researcher q’s any time = should be informed that they’ll receive a full debriefing at the end of the study
Whenever possible investigators should inform participants of the objectives of their investigationand gain their informed consentto take part.
In some cases,it is not possible to gain informed consent,as it would cause participants to alter their behaviour(demand characteristics)
What is protection from harm?
Investigators have a responsibility to protect parts from physical + psychological harm during the study
Risk of harm should be no greater than in ordinary life + psychs must stop any study immediately if they suspect a part may be harmed
Parts should leave research in same condition they entered it
What is the right to withdraw?
At the start of research all parts must be aware that they can leave the study at any time, regardless of whether payment kr inducement has been offered r
Difficult to implement during covert observations + parts holiday also be aware that they can withdraw their data at any point in the future
If parts appear distressed during a study, they should be reminded of their rught to withdraw
What is confidentiality?
Parts’ data is confidential + should not be disclosed by to anyone unless it has been agreed in advance = no.or letters should be used instead of names of research is published
Confidentiality = data can be traced back to a name
Anonymity = cannot be traced back to a name as the participants have never provided their name to the researchers
What is avoiding deception
The withholding of information or the misleading of participants is unacceptable if participants are likely to object or show unease once they know they have been deceived.
- Intentional deceptionof the participants over the purpose and general nature of investigations should be avoided whenever possible
- Parts should not be deliberately misled without scientific or medical justification
- Sometimes deception is unavoidableas if parts knew the true nature of the research they would change their behaviour(demand characteristics).
- If deception is used then the real purpose of the experiment, and what occurred in the other conditions needs to be explained to participants after the study
- Participants also need to be told why deception was necessary
What is a debriefing?
A debriefing takes place after the research = during a debriefing, parts are told the aim of the study + info about the other condition (if independent groups’ experimental design was used)
Researcher should check on parts’ welfare + remind them of their right to withdraw + right to confidentiality + as well the fact they need to show respect to other parts e.g. to maintain their confidentiality
Debriefing doesn’t provide justification for unethical aspects of research
What is a cost-benefit analysis?
An ethics committee must approve all research before it begins:
- They conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine if the research should be carried out
- This is when the potential harm of doing research is weighed against the potential gains.
