Ethics Flashcards
What is the BPS and what do they do?
the british psychological society
-they are a representative body for psychology in the UK
-they review people’s research - ethical or not
-they hold people accountable
What is the code of ethics?
respect
competence
responsibility
integrity
What is the BPS code of conduct?
if researchers break ethical guidelines - they can be fired
this is implemented by the ethics committee
- cost-benefit approach to determine what is ethically appropriate
What are ethical issues?
informed consent
right to withdraw
privacy
deception
protection from harm
confedentiality
What is consent?
ppts must be issued with a consent letter detailing all relevant information that might affect their decision to take part
What must happen with consent letters depending on age?
they must be signed (if they are over 16)
if they are under 16 a parental signature is required
Presumptive consent
A similar group of people are asked if the study is acceptable
- if it is agreed then the consent of the ppts is “presumed”
What are alternative ways to get consent?
Presumptive consent
Prior general consent
Retrospective consent
Prior genral consent
ppts give permission to take part in a number of studies, including one involving deception, then they are consenting to being deceived
Retrospective consent
the ppts have already taken part
Dealing with ethical issues
- deception and protection from harm
- confidentiality
Deception and protection from harm
-ppts should be offered a full debrief
-debrief occurs at the end of the experiment
What should the debrief contain?
-it should contain the details of the experiment, including aims and the existence of any other experimental groups or conditions
-ppts must be told what there data will be used for and be given the right to withdraw their data (especially for retrospective consent)
What may ppts require in extreme cases?
They may require counselling which the researcher should provide
What is confedentiality?
if the personal details about the ppt are collected they must be kept confedential