Ethics

Question 1

What are ethical issues

Answer 1

Ethical issues arise when a conflict exists between participants’ rights and researchers’ needs to gain valuable and meaningful findings.
This conflict has implications for the safety and wellbeing of participants.

Question 2

‘Do the ends justify the means?’

Answer 2

The fundamental ethical question in psychological research is ‘do the ends justify the means?’ A balance must be struck between the interests of participants and the value of the research

Question 3

What is BPS code of ethics and conduct

Answer 3

The aim of the code is to provide a framework for guiding the decision making for all members. The framework allows sufficient flexibility for a variety of approaches, contexts and methods and reflects the ethical standards that apply to all

Question 4

What are the 5 BPS ethical guidelines

Answer 4

• informed consent
• deception
• right to withdraw
• protection from harm
• privacy and confidentiality

Question 5

Informed consent

Answer 5

Involves making participants aware of the aims of the research, the procedures, their rights and what their data will be used for.
How to deal with it -
Participants should sign a consent form detailing all relevant info that might affect their decision to participate. If participants are under 16 a parental signature is required.
There are three alternatives to informed consent-
- presumptive
- prior general
- retrospective

Question 6

Alternative types of consent

Answer 6

Presumptive - a similar group of people are asked if the study is acceptable. If this group agree, then consent of the original participants is presumed.
Prior general - participants give their permission to take part in a number of different studies - including one that will involve deception. By consenting participants are effectively consenting to be deceived.
Retrospective - participants are asked for their consent during debriefing, having already taken part in the study. They may not have been aware of their participation or may have been subjects to deception.

Question 7

What is deception

Answer 7

Deception means deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants at any stage of the investigation. However there are occasions when deception can be justified if it does not cause the participants distress
How to deal with it -
At the end of the study participants should receive a full debrief where they are made aware of the true aims of the study and about all conditions of the experiment

Question 8

What is right to withdraw

Answer 8

We must make participants aware that they are free to leave a study at any time, even if they were paid. They can also refuse permission for their data to be used
How to deal with it -
Participants must be told at the beginning of a study and reminded during the debrief of their right to withdraw

Question 9

What is protection from harm

Answer 9

Participants should be protected from physical or psychological harm including embarrassment, stress or being put under pressure. Any risk should be no more than could be expected in the course of normal day life.
How to deal with it -
At the end of the study participants should receive a full debrief. Participants must be reminded of their right to withdraw. Researcher should provide counselling where stress or embarrassment has occurred.

Question 10

What is privacy and confidentiality

Answer 10

Participants have the right to privacy and their personal information should not be invaded. Any personal data should be kept confidential and is protected under the data protection act
How to deal with it -
Privacy - participants should only be observed in public areas and not private
Confidentiality - use a number or initials to keep participants data confidential