ethics chapter 1 Flashcards
define ethical concepts
the broad, moral guiding
principles that people
should consider when
conducting research,
practising psychology,
or when analysing a
psychological issue
or debate
types of ethical concepts
- beneficence
- integrity
- justice
- non-maleficence
- respect.
beneficence
refers to the commitment to maximising benefits and minimising the risks and harms
involved in taking a particular position or course of action
- whether the research design
minimises harm. - where harm is a necessary part of
the research, it is outweighed by
the merits (benefits) of the study. - participants’ welfare
integrity
is the commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding, and the honest reporting of all sources of information and results, whether favourable or unfavourable, in ways that permit scrutiny and contribute to public knowledge and understanding
* objective and open reporting and
recording of results.
* processes of peer review.
* thoroughness of any literature
review and other research
procedures.
justice
the moral obligation to ensure that there is fair consideration of competing claims; that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action; and that there is fair distribution and access to the benefits of an action
- objectivity in evaluating results.
- ensuring the research design and suggestions on the basis of conclusions are not discriminatory against certain groups.
- ensuring psychological practice does not stereotype or discriminate.
- equity in access to psychological services and findings.
non maleficence
principle of avoiding causing harm
- designing research to minimise psychological and physical harm.
- participants’ welfare.
- cost-benefit analyses of whether benefits outweigh the risks.
respect
- respect for and consideration of the
welfare of human and non-human
research participants. - protection of participants’
autonomy. - respect for individuals’ personal
beliefs and cultures.
ethical guidelines
the procedures
and principles used to
ensure that participants
are safe and respected
types of ethical guidelines
- confidentiality
- informed consent procedures
- use of deception
- debriefing
- voluntary participation
- withdrawal rights.
confidentiality
*privacy, protection and security of a participant’s personal information
ways to ensure confidentiality
- Having data storage tools and procedures that
are safe and secure. - Anonymising participants’ results when sharing or publishing them.
informed consent procedures
ensure participants understand the nature and
purpose of the experiment, including potential risks (both physical and psychological), before agreeing to participate in the study
ways to ensure informed consent
Voluntary written consent should be obtained by the experimenter
deception
act of intentionally
misleading participants about the true nature of a study or procedure.
ways to ensure deception
- The possibility that deception may be used must be outlined in the consent form.
- Any deception used during research must be
fully explained at the conclusion of the study. - Participants’ questions should be answered at
the conclusion of a study.
debriefing
at the end of the experiment, the participant leaves understanding the experimental aim, results and conclusions
ways to ensure debriefing
- Participants’ questions should be answered at
the conclusion of a study. - Support should be offered to participants to
address any harm from the study. - Debriefing must occur at the conclusion of the
study and participants must be told about any
deception.
voluntary participation
there is no coercion or pressure put on the
participant to partake in an experiment, and they freely choose to be involved
ways to ensure voluntary participation
- In order to have true voluntary participation,
there must also be informed consent. - Participants must not be coerced, but rewards for participation are permitted
withdrawal rights
right of participants to be able to discontinue their involvement in an experiment at any time during, or after the conclusion of, an experiment without penalty
ways to ensure withdrawal rights
- Participants’ results should be removed from the study if they wish to withdraw at any point, even after the conclusion of the study.
- Participants should not be coerced in any way to remain in the study.
- Any compensation offered for time spent at the beginning of the study should still be offered to participants who withdraw.
