Ethics Flashcards
Ethics
Ethical issues
Moral concerns arising from research.
Ethics
Confidentality
Third parties should not be able to trace information back to individual participants. This is usually achieved through providing anonymity, e.g.
using participant numbers not names.
Ethics
Deception
Deliberately misleading or falsely informing participants about the nature of research.
Ethics
Risks of stress, anxiety, humiliation or pain
Research that could induce more
than minimal pain through repetitive or prolonged testing. Invasive testing, such as the administration of drugs, or vigorous physical exercise, would not usually be encountered in everyday life and are considered unethical.
Ethics
Valid consent
Includes giving participants enough information (in a form they can
understand) so that they can make an informed choice about whether they wish to participate.
Ethics
Working with vulnerable individuals
Children under the age of 16, those lacking in mental capacity, people in care, people in custody (prison) or on probation, and people engaged in illegal activities, such as drug use, would be categorised in this way. Issues of consent are of particular concern.
Ethics
Working with animals
Research with non-human species follows strict ethical guidelines, including the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (1986) and the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, Refinement). These guidelines ensure:
Replacement: Using alternatives to animals when possible.
Reduction: Minimizing the number of animals used.
Refinement: Ensuring procedures cause minimal harm.
Researchers must also choose ethically suitable species and obtain relevant licenses from the Home Office.
Ethics
Ethical guidelines
Provide a set of moral principles that guide research from its inception through to completion and publication of results.
Ethics
Ethical committees
An ethical commitees board ensures proposed research meets ethical standards. It conducts a cost-benefit analysis to weigh the potential risks and benefits and suggests modifications to protect participants.
Ethics
Debriefing
A method which aims to ensure participants are aware of the true nature of the study (overcoming any deception). It should return the participant back to their original state.
Ethics
Right to withdraw
Ensuring the participant knows their right to not participate or leave the study at any time during the collection of data.
Validity issues
Specific validity issues refer to factors that jeopardise validity of research
during the data collection phase. There are three specific validity issues.
