ethics

Question 1

explain informed consent

Answer 1

participants must be given comprehensive info about nature and purpose of research so they can give fully informed consent to take part in study

Question 2

how to deal with informed consent

Answer 2

● participants issued with consent letter / form detailing all relevant info that might affect their decision to participate

● researchers can gain retrospective consent from participants during debrief, or presumptive consent from similar group

● investigations of children under 16, signature of parental consent is required

Question 3

explain deception

Answer 3

● researcher must avoid misleading participant (lying, withholding information)

● often they may be misled about aim of study to avoid them changing behaviour

Question 4

how to deal with deception

Answer 4

● during debrief the participants should be told how and why they were deceived during study

● e.g. participants should be told about existence of other experimental conditions

Question 5

explain the right to withdraw

Answer 5

participants have right to leave study at any time if they feel uncomfortable / distressed

Question 6

how to deal with the right to withdraw

Answer 6

participants should be give right to withdraw at any point and right to withdraw their data

Question 7

explain protection from harm

Answer 7

researcher must ensure all participants are protected from physical and psychological harm experienced in study (such as embarrassment)

Question 8

how to deal with protection from harm

Answer 8

● participants able to withdraw from study if it’s too distressing

● participants should be reassured that their behaviour was typical for study

● in extreme cases may require counselling, which researcher should provide

Question 9

explain privacy & confidentiality

Answer 9

● researcher must not disclose any personal information of their participants

● participant must be kept anonymous

Question 10

how to deal with privacy & confidentiality

Answer 10

● no personal information from participants used when writing up investigation

● researchers tend to use numbers / initials instead of names

● participants should be reminded during debrief that their data will be protected

Question 11

what is the cost benefit analysis?

Answer 11

● BPS(british psychological society) code of ethics weigh up costs and benefits of research proposals to decide whether study may go ahead

● benefits - ground-breaking nature of research

● cost - damaging effect on individual participant or to reputation of psychology as a whole