Ethics

Question 1

Why is ethics important?

Answer 1

Researchers have the responsibility to ensure that their practice/work is morally correct

Question 2

BPS code of ethics

Answer 2

A set of guidelines which have been outlined by the British Psychology Society for anyone carrying out psychological research in the UK

Question 3

Informed consent

Answer 3

Participants must be briefed on objectives about the study’s purpose, the procedures, risks and benefits before they agree to particicpate

Question 4

Ways to deal with informed consent

Answer 4

• Brief participants on the full investigation, the procedure and their role in a consent form.
• Then place an area on the form for a signature to be signed

Question 5

Right to withdraw

Answer 5

Participants must be informed that they have the choice to leave the study at any given time if they wish. They are under no obligation to disclose a reason why they want to leave

Question 6

ways to deal with right to withdraw

Answer 6

• Initially inform them at the beginning on a consent form that they can leave at any time
• Throughout the experiment they should be reminded of their right to withdraw
• In the debrief it should say that they can withdraw their data

Question 7

Confidentiality

Answer 7

This ensures that the participants personal information is not disclosed to anyone

Question 8

Ways to deal with confidentiality

Answer 8

• Don’t take irrelevant personal details
• The scores and data should be anonymised by using numbers instead of names

Question 9

Deception

Answer 9

It may be necessary for the participants to be unaware of the the study’s aims or that they are even in a study

Question 10

Ways to deal with deception

Answer 10

• Be as honest as possible
• The debrief should inform them of the deception and give them the right to withdraw their data

Question 11

Protection of participants

Answer 11

The participants shouldn’t be victim to any physical or mental damage form the study

Question 12

Ways to deal with protection of participants

Answer 12

• Make them fully aware of how they are being studied
• Ensure they leave in the same state by doing a form or in the debriefing

Question 13

Debriefing

Answer 13

They should be told the true motivations of the study at the end

Question 14

ways to deal with debriefing

Answer 14

A verbal or written debrief should be provided