Ethics Flashcards
Research methods
What is an ethical issue?
- A conflict between 2 points of view
Why might an ethical issue occur?
- when there is a conflict between the rights of the p’s and the needs of the researchers to conduct research that makes a meaningful contribution to society.
What is confidentiality?
-concerns the communication of personal information from one person to another and trust that the info will be protected.
Describe confidentiality from the researcher and the p’s point of view.
RESEARCHER
- hard to protect if they wish to publish findings
- may guarantee anonymity but may still be obvious who was involved
PARTICIPANT
- the data protection act makes it a legal right
How could you overcome confidentiality and what are the issues with this?
OVERCOME:
- protect personal details
- maintain anonymity, use numbers/ letters
ISSUES
- can still be possible to work out who the p’s were
What is deception?
when a participant is not told the true aims of the study and thus cannot give valid consent.
Describe deception from a researcher and p’s point of view.
RESEARCHER
- can be necessary so the aim isn’t worked out
- maybe with hold info of the research aim but don’t deliberately provide false info
PARTICIPANT
- prevented from giving valid consent
- may see psychologist as untrustworthy, may not take part in future research
how could you overcome deception and what are the issues with this?
OVERCOME
- right to withdraw
- opportunity to discuss any concerns
ISSUES
- debriefing cannot reverse embarrassment
- permission may not be given
What is risk of harm
p’s must not experience negative physical/psychological effects
describe risk of harm from the researcher and p’s point of view.
RESEARCHER
- studying important topics may involve a degree of risk of harm
- difficult to predict the outcome of certain procedures (milgram)
PARTICIPANT
- acceptable if harm is no greater than the p’s would experience day to day
- must be in the same state after and before
How can you overcome risk of harm and what is the issue with this?
OVERCOME
- avoid any risk greater than experienced in daily life
- stop if harm is suspected
ISSUES
- harm may not be apparent at the time
What is privacy?
A persons right to control the flow of information about themselves.
Describe privacy from the researcher and the p’s point of view.
RESEARCHER
-may be difficult to avoid invasion of privacy when studying p’s without their awareness (field exp)
PARTICIPANT
- people don’t expect to be observed in certain situations
How would you overcome the issues of privacy and what are the issues with this?
OVERCOME
- do not study anyone without valid consent unless in a public space/ public behaviour
ISSUES
- no universal agreement about what constitutes a public space/ public behaviour
Describe the ethical issue: risk to the p’s values beliefs, relationships, status or privacy
How can this be dealt with?
- psychologists should consider the impact the research may have on the p’s.
- ensuring that the privacy of the p’s is maintained through confidentiality