Ethics

Question 1

What does ethics mean?

Answer 1

Ethics refers to the correct rules of conduct necessary when carrying out research.

Question 2

What are the six ethical considerations?

Answer 2

1. Protection from undue stress or harm
2. Informed consent
3. Deception
4. Right to withdraw
5. Confidentiality & anonymity
6. Debriefing

Question 3

What does protection from undue stress or harm mean?

Answer 3

Do not humiliate participants, do not force anyone to reveal private information, do nothing that will cause any permanent physical or psychological harm

Question 4

What does undue stress or harm mean?

Answer 4

A higher level of stress than an individual may experience from day to day. E.g. doing something frustrating does not equal “undue” stress

Question 5

What does informed consent mean?

Answer 5

Participants must: be told about the nature of the study, agree to participate, be told what rights they have e.g. right to withdraw at any time, understand what the research is about including any potential issues that may arise
Mental or physical illness? consent from guardian
Children? consent from guardian

Question 6

What does deception mean?

Answer 6

To prevent participants knowing everything about, and potentially influencing the study: misinformation, not telling participants the complete goal of the study

Question 7

Can deception be used?

Answer 7

Slight deception can be used if psychologists can justify why it is necessary and they can get an ethics board to approve the study

Question 8

What does right to withdraw mean?

Answer 8

If the participant wishes to they can withdraw at any time from the study, they should feel no pressure or coercion to remain, their data should be withdrawn from the study

Question 9

What does confidentiality & anonymity mean?

Answer 9

All participants should be guaranteed that all info obtained is confidential and private, their identity is anonymized i.e. not revealed in the publication of the study or any other use of the data thereafter

Question 10

What does debriefing mean?

Answer 10

The true aims and purpose of the research must be revealed, any deception must be justified, all participants should leave the study in the same physical and psychological state in which they started, participants may be offered psychological counselling beyond the study to enable this