Ethics Flashcards
The invitation to participants should include what?
(Writing an Introductory Invitation to Participate, an information sheet and Consent Form)
Name & address of researcher.
Name & address of potential participant.
Title of research project.
Invitation to participate.
The Information Sheet should include what?
(Writing an Introductory Invitation to Participate, an information sheet and Consent Form)
Title of the study.
Name & address of researcher/email/phone number.
General welcome to the participant including thanks to them for reading the Information Sheet and considering taking part in the study.
Purpose of the study.
Why they have been chosen to take part
Whether they have to take part (they don’t)
What will happen to them if they take part?
What are the possible disadvantages of taking part?
Include here any disadvantages you identify - e.g. They may be required to give up 20 minutes of time.
What are the possible advantages of taking part?
Possibly no direct advantages to the Participant, but they will be helping you with your assignment & university work.
Possible risks (there should be no risks identified).
Will my taking part in the study be kept confidential?
Include here the people who will read the study.
Make clear that the participant will not be identified in any way in any report or publication associated with the study.
Give a clear contact name & address for participants to gain additional information if they wish to.
Repeat the thanks to the participant for considering taking part in the study.
The information sheet must be written in lay-language.
What is the purpose of the information sheet?
Answer any questions a participant may have about taking part in the research, so think about what you would like to know before taking part in a study and check to see if your information sheet answers this.
What should a consent form include?
Title of the study and the name(s) of the researcher(s).
The participant should tick boxes to indicate that they understand and consent to the study and all the study involves.
They may only consent to parts of the study, so this needs to be indicated clearly.
Thus, clear boxes must be provided for different parts of the study.
Example of a consent form.
Please tick the box by each statement if you agree it is true.
I have read the information sheet and understand what I will be asked to do.
I have been given time to consider whether I wish to participate and to ask any questions I have about the study.
I understand I have the right to withdraw at any point.
I understand that I do not have to give in my response sheet but that once I do it cannot be returned.
I consent to participate in the study.
What are the 4 ethical principles?
Respect:
For the dignity and worth of all persons.
E.g. Confidentiality, deception, right to withdraw.
Competence:
Psychologists should maintain high standards.
Responsibility:
Psychologists have a responsibility to their clients, the general public and to the science of psychology.
Integrity:
Psychologists should be honest and accurate.
What are the 10 BPS ethical guidelines?
1.) Investigations must consider ethical implications and psychological consequences for the participant.
2.) Informed consent.
3.) Deception:
4.) Withdrawal from investigation.
5.) Debriefing.
6.) Confidentiality.
7.) Protection of participants.
8.) Privacy.
- Giving advice.
10.) Colleagues research.
What are the 4 ethical issues in psychology?
1.) Research with human participants:
Much of the research in psychology uses human participants.
We have to be very careful to protect them from physical harm, psychological harm and to respect their privacy and dignity.
Most psychologists operate under a code of conduct (e.g. BPS code in Britain).
2.) Socially sensitive research:
Psychologists frequently study socially sensitive topics (e.g. issues relating to sexuality, gender, ethnicity etc).
In this type of research the ethical issues extend beyond the care of the participants.
Psychologists have a duty to care for the social groups involved and to make sure that their research is not misrepresented or misused.
3.) Using psychology:
Psychology is not merely an academic subject; it is applied in a variety of fields (therapy, education, sport etc).
Psychologists try to use psychology in an ethical fashion but sometimes this leads to ethical dilemmas.
4.) Research with animal participants:
Some psychology research involves the study of animals.
Animal research is usually governed by a different ethical code and in addition is subject to legal constraints.
