Ethics

Question 1

What does socially sensitive research mean?

Answer 1

Studies where there are potential social consequences or implications for participants or class of individual in research.

Question 2

What research process did Joan Sieber and Eve Stanley come up with where social consequences occur? (first two steps)

Answer 2

1) The research question: ‘racial differences in IQ’ may be damaging to members of specific groups. Adds scientific credibility to existing prejudices
2) Conduct of research and treatment of participants: ‘if a participant confesses to a crime’ with confidentiality of info being central.

Question 3

What research process did Joan Sieber and Eve Stanley come up with where social consequences occur? (last two steps)

Answer 3

3) The institutional context: research maybe funded by private organisations which may misunderstand or misuse data. The media may obtain reports and misreport findings (ALL trials campaign):
- drug therapies rely on research to treat mental disorders and most likely are funded by pharmaceutical companies
- selective publication of data = not publish anything that could be harmful to sales
- pre-registration for trials so it can’t be manipulated
-researchers have sponsors who censor data produced
4) Interpretation and application of findings: some research can be applied in unintended ways. IQ tests were created to match individuals to roles but later used to show certain groups inferiority.

Question 4

Privacy

Answer 4

1) Privacy - skilled researchers may gather unintended info from ppts. E.g. AIDS led to social policies invading people’s private life.

Question 5

Confidentiality

Answer 5

2) confidentiality: ppts may not share info if confidentiality is breached. Future research could be compromised.

Question 6

Valid methodology

Answer 6

3) Valid methodology: where poor methodology or invalid results are found. Scientists are aware of this problem, but public may not be aware of this issue and base social policy in a detrimental way.

Question 7

Deception

Answer 7

Research can create false sterotypes affecting performance.

Question 8

Equitable treatment

Answer 8

ALL ppts must be treated equally. Essential resources should be available to everyone.

Question 9

Informed consent

Answer 9

Ppts may not always understand what is involved.

Question 10

Scientific freedom

Answer 10

Scientists have the duty to engage in research while being obliged to not harm ppts and institutions.

Question 11

Ownership of Data

Answer 11

Determining ownership is difficult as they include sponsorship: commercial/university. Public access to data is important.

Question 12

Values

Answer 12

Psychologists differ in their approaches (IV’s and N) and objectiveness. A clash within such values between scientists and recipients of research give rise to sensitive issues.

Question 13

Risk/benefit ratio

Answer 13

Risks or costs should be minimised but there are problems that arise in determining these risks and benefits.