Ethics in research

Question 1

What are the different ethical issues involved in the conduct of psychological studies?

Answer 1

• Informed consent
• Deception
• Protection from harm
• Privacy and confidentiality

Question 2

What are the different types of consent and what do they mean?

Answer 2

• Presumptive consent – gained from people with similar standing to the participants.
• Prior General consent – participants agree to be deceived without knowing what it’ll be.
• Retrospective Consent – asking for consent after the study has been done.

Question 3

What is deception?

Answer 3

Deliberately withholding information or misleading participants. Can be justified if it doesn’t cause distress.

Question 4

What is informed consent?

Answer 4

Making participants aware of the aims, the procedures, their rights including right to withdraw, and how data will be used. Could be given retrospectively (after the study)

Question 5

What is privacy?

Answer 5

The right to control information about ourselves

Question 6

What is confidentiality?

Answer 6

Having the right to have our personal data protected under the Data Protection Act.

Question 7

What is protection from harm?

Answer 7

Participants should not be placed at more risk than in their everyday lives - should be protected from physical and psychological harm.

Question 8

How should researchers deal with informed consent?

Answer 8

Issue participants with a consent form detailing relevant info. If they are under 16 a parent/guardian must sign it.

Question 9

How should researchers deal with deception and protection from harm?

Answer 9

Give a full debrief at end of study to tell the true aims and other details they were not told e.g. other groups. Tell them they have the right to withdraw their data. If they are concerned about their performance which may cause stress/ embarrassment, they may need counselling, which should be offered.

Question 10

How should researchers deal with privacy and confidentiality?

Answer 10

Could record no personal details. In the study, refer to participants by number or letter instead of name. Mention this in briefing and debriefing.

Question 11

What is the British psychological society code of ethics?

Answer 11

A set of ethical guidelines which researchers have a professional duty to abide by. Ensures participants are treated with respect and consideration.