Ethics and Peer Review

Question 1

What is peer review?

Answer 1

Peer review is the independent scrutiny other psychologists with the same field of expertise to the research to ensure that the data is correct and valid.

Other researchers may check the internal validity of the results by checking for any EVs that may have not been controlled.

Question 2

What are the steps in the peer review process?

Answer 2

1# Submit research to a journal for INDEPENDENT SCRUTINY.

2# The editor of the journal assigns research to a SPECIALIST working in same field to the researcher (you).

3# The reviewer assesses the research for its validity and METHODOLOGY. They suggest modifications / ADJUSTMENTS.

4# Once modification is made, it’s sent back to researcher to make necessary adjustments.

5# Researcher makes the MODIFICATIONS.

6# The editor makes the final decision whether to accept or reject the research and whether they PUBLISH it or not.

Question 3

Why are is peer review important?

Answer 3

To ensure high quality research is published – may change people’s lifestyle.

To look for mistakes and any poor scientific practice and fraudulent work that should be rejected.

Prevents false information.

Question 4

What are some limitations of peer review?

Answer 4

VERY time-consuming - a long process.

Rival competitors may stall and steal each other’s ideas – reduced by making it a double blind.

Can’t find a matched specialist.

Publication bias is when research that are popular or attention grabbing and significant studies.

Question 5

What are ethical issues?

Answer 5

When researchers take into consideration the welfare of the pps before, during and after research.

Question 6

What does BPS stand for?

Answer 6

British Psychological Society

Question 7

What are the ethical guidelines that the BPS consider?

Answer 7

D - Deception
R - Right to withdraw
I - Informed consent
P - Privacy and confidentiality
P - Protection from harm

Question 8

What is deception and why is it unethical?

Answer 8

When information is deliberately not told to pps or they are misled.

Unethical because…

Prevents pps from giving full informed consent - may be apart of research that goes against their views / beliefs.

Question 9

How can researchers deal with deception?

Answer 9

Pps should be fully debriefed at the end and told the true aim of research.
Pps should be given the right to withdraw the publication of their results.

Contact details of researcher should be given if pps have questions.

Question 10

What is informed consent and why can it be unethical?

Answer 10

When someone AGREES to participate in research. Consent must be FULLY
informed meaning AIMS of research should be made clear.

Can be unethical because…

Lack of informed consent may mean that pps takes part in
research that goes against their BELIEFS.
Possible that pps may have felt obliged or coerced to take part.

Question 11

What are 4 ways in which researchers can deal with informed consent?

Answer 11

Presumptive consent

Prior general consent

Retrospective consent

Children as participants

Question 12

What is presumptive consent?

Answer 12

Researcher takes random sample of TP and introduces them to research, including any
deception which may result.

If they agree to take part, they think that future participants would also agree so the consent is generalised.

Question 13

What is prior general consent?

Answer 13

Pps agree to take part beforehand in many investigations, which may / may not involve deception.
This means that they will have given consent for being deceived.

Question 14

What is retrospective consent?

Answer 14

Pps give consent for their participation after taking part in investigation.

Question 15

What is children as participants consent?

Answer 15

Gaining consent of the parent(s) in writing for children under the age of 16 to participate in any psychological research.

Question 16

What is privacy and why can it be unethical?

Answer 16

Privacy is when pps have right to decide how info about them will be communicated to others.

It can be unethical because…
Can lead to lack of privacy - researcher may obtain more info from pps than they wish to give which could be an invasion of privacy - pps may later feel ashamed or embarrassed - lack of opportunities.

Question 17

How can researchers deal with lack of privacy?

Answer 17

Pps should be provided full informed consent & right to withdraw.
Researcher should explain to pps the way their info will be protected and kept confidential.

E.G.
No names will be published and any written / video information will be destroyed.

Question 18

What is confidentiality and how can it be unethical?

Answer 18

When a participant’s personal info is protected under the Data Protection Act both during and after the experiment.

It can be unethical because…
May be a lack of confidentiality - A pp’s details / data may be used somewhere else against the pp’s wishes.

Question 19

How can researchers deal with lack of confidentiality?

Answer 19

Pps are ANONYMOUS and provided with fake name, number or initials to protect their identity.
Cannot be identified.

Question 20

What is protection from harm and why can it be unethical?

Answer 20

Pps must be protected from physical or psychological harm (e.g. stress / anxiety)
Risk of harm shouldn’t be more than what they’re exposed to in everyday life.
Pps should leave the research in the same state as they entered

It can be unethical because…
If they are harmed, may suffer from long-term effects that could impact their lives.

Question 21

How can researches deal with protection from harm?

Answer 21

Pps should be reminded of their right to withdraw throughout / after the research. The researcher should stop the experiment if the level of psychological / physical harm is higher than expected.
Pps should be debriefed at the end.
Also should be given the opportunity to be referred to counselling / therapy.