Ethics

Question 1

Which types of ethics are there?

Answer 1

1) BPS research ethics - BPS research with participants
2) BERA research ethics - British Educational Research Ethics
3) BACP ethics - British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy
4) BPS code of ethics - BPS ethics for practicing psychologists

Question 2

Outline the BPS code of ethics

Answer 2

1) Respect - avoid unfair or prejudiced practices
2) Competence - avoid stepping outside your area of competence
3) Responsibility - right to withdraw, not answer Qs, use debrief to ensure PPs are happy when they leave
4) Integrity - be honest

Question 3

Outline the BPS code of research ethics

Answer 3

1) Respect for autonomy & dignity of persons - consent, confidentiality, anonymity, fair treatment
2) Scientific Value - research should be well designed to maximise scientific knowledge and avoid wasting PP contributions
3) Social Responsibility - be aware of social aspects of conducting research
4) Maximising effect minimising harm - consider research activities from the perspective of PPs to avoid risks to physical and mental health

Question 4

How can ethics protect the researcher?

Answer 4

• Scrutiny of proposed methods provides protection from mistakes
• Risk assessment enables researchers to consider their research from an ethical stance

Question 5

How can ethics protect the participant?

Answer 5

• Avoidance of harm by offering: confidentiality, right to withdraw and methodologies that do no harm

Question 6

How do consent forms avoid risk?

Answer 6

By providing PPs with enough information about the study for them to make an informed decision

Question 7

Outline the Data Protection Act 1998

Answer 7

PPs can request any identifiable data held by researchers
Names, appearance, image and voice are all identifiable data
If data is anonymised PPs cannot be linked to their data and the DPA does not apply
PPs must be informed that they can’t access their data & cannot withdraw after taking part
Researchers may ask PPs to indicate whether they are happy for others to use their anonymised data

Question 8

How do you link data to PPs?

Answer 8

Use a list of names and numbers but keep it separate from the data
Use a self-generated code

Question 9

How do you store the data?

Answer 9

List of names and numbers stored separately from data and consent forms
Consent forms securely locked in a drawer
Data stored electronically under a password protected system

Question 10

What is deception?

Answer 10

Not telling a PP the full aims of your research
Omissions of details rather than deliberate deceit
NOT making up a task that PPs will not be asked to do
Misdirection rather than deceit

Question 11

How should you handle deceiving PPs?

Answer 11

Avoid if possible

If not possible, the debrief is key

Question 12

What is the consent form checklist?

Answer 12

1. Aims of research
2. Method of collection & intended use
3. Confidentiality & anonymity conditions
4. Compliance with data protection act
5. Right to decline and withdraw
6. Contact details

Question 13

What is Rest’s (1982) model of ethical reasoning?

Answer 13

Ethical Sensitivity - understanding that there is an ethical issue
Ethical reasoning - deciding on the morally ideal course of action
Ethical motivation - deciding what can be done
Ethical implementation - executing the action identified