ethics Flashcards
What does BPS stand for?
British Psychological Society
What does the BPS do?
They set ethical guidelines which all research much meet
What is the definition of informed consent?
When participants know the aim of the study and still agree to participate
When is not obtaining informed consent a problem?
- participants being deceived & not knowing what they are taking part in
- children are too young to understand and cannot fully give informed consent
How can we issues with informed consent be addressed?
- remove deception
- only deceive if necessary to the experiment
- inform the participants of the true aim
- ask parental consent (for children)
- conduct in a public place
What is the definition of consent?
Agreeing to participate without knowing the aim of the study
What is the difference between informed consent and consent?
Only can give informed consent when you know the aim of the study before you take part in the study.
What is the definition of confidentiality?
When participants are kept anonymous and this is kept in place at all times
Why is lack of confidentiality a problem?
It may cause distress and embarrassment if people can identify them by their data
How can lack of confidentiality be addressed?
- keep all data secret and secure
- conduct research by the Data Protection Act
- do not collect personal information
- use codenames or numbers (keep anonymous)
How is confidentiality applied to data?
Data must conform to the Data Protection Act
What is the definition of a debrief?
Where any deception is explained such as the aim of the study and identity of the researcher
What are issues when there is a lack of a debrief?
The study may cause long lasting psychological harm making the participants distressed and not want to be included in the study
How can a debrief be administered?
Explaining at the end of the study the purpose and allowing participants to voice any issues and provide a contact number should they want to invoke their right to withdraw data
When is a debrief administered?
At the end of the research
What is the definition of the right to withdraw?
When if participants wish to leave at any point during the experiment they can and this can also be applied to their data years later if they wish
Why is taking away the right to withdraw an issue?
Participants feel obligated to continue and may do things they do not want to (therefore affecting the validity of the results)
How can issues with the right to withdraw be addressed?
By explaining before the study that they can leave at any time without consequence alongside the fact that they can remove their data (this should be reminded throughout the study and a final reminder in the debrief)
What is the definition of deception?
Lying to the participants about any aspects of the experiment - any deception must be justified to the BPS
Why is decepetion harmful?
- causes distress
- cannot give informed consent
- cannot fully withdraw
What are the types of protection from harm?
Physical & psychological
What is the definition of protection from harm?
When researchers are fully responsible for participants physical and psychological wellbeing - they must also consider long term effects of the research
What are issues when protection from harm is ignored?
It is extremely unethical to cause psychological harm (embarrassment) and causing physical harm is a violation of human rights
How can protection from harm be enforced?
- making the tasks no more harmful than an everyday life situation
- assess for possible risk factors prior to the study
- keep data confidential
What ethical issues are related to respect?
Informed consent, confidentiality, and the right to withdraw
What ethical issues are related to responsibility?
Debriefing and protection from harm
What ethical issue is related to integrity?
Deception
