Ethics in Research Flashcards
What must undergo ethical approval in relation to the field of psychology?
All research involving human participants.
Why does all psychological research involving human participants have to undergo ethical approval?
To identify any ethical issues & how best to address them.
What are the basic principles of best-practice ethics guidelines for psychological research?
To consider & respect the safety & rights of our participants, especially those who are vulnerable (e.g. undergoing clinical treatment/ under 18) & to conduct ourselves as researchers honestly, professionally & politely.
While best-practice ethics guidelines for psychological research aren’t black & white, what do we err on the side of?
Caution
How do we collect informed consent from participants before an experiment?
By using consent forms.
Who must have the capacity to provide informed consent?
Our participants
Why is the procedure of providing informed consent different for children & vulnerable persons?
Because they don’t have the capacity to provide informed consent.
What is worthless in relation to informed consent?
Consent without information
Why must researchers always brief participants (typically using an information sheet that participants can keep)?
Because consent without information is worthless.
What do information sheets include?
Aims & predictions for research, what data we are collecting & how we’re collecting it, confidentiality concerns/s safeguards, the time commitment required, the right to decline to take part, the right to withdraw without negative consequences, potential risks to physical/ psychological health, contact information, & ethics approval details.
What is paramount?
The physical safety of our participants.
What is no less important than the physical safety of participants?
Their psychological safety (e.g. levels of stress, emotional distress, anxiety, & risk of damaging future behaviour)
What is it unethical to do to yourself as a researcher?
Put yourself in danger
When can participants withdraw from a study?
At any point during the study
How might a participant withdraw from a study?
They might just get up & walk out, &/ request that you destroy their data after the fact.
What may become impossible once you have collected & analysed the data of a study?
The destruction of a participant’s data.
Why should you make it clear that the destruction of a participant’s data may become impossible once you’ve collected & analysed the data of a study when briefing a participant?
Because a participant may want it to be destroyed.
What must you never risk disclosing?
Personal information
What are a common part of psychological research?
IQ tests
How can data be protected?
By securely storing it & keeping questionnaires separate from your data.
How can data remain confidential?
By never using names (only ID numbers/ pseudonyms)
What do we avoid doing to participants?
Lying to them
How often might we not share the full details of an experiment in advance?
Sometimes
When might we not share the full details of an experiment in advance?
Only when it’s justified by the goals of the experiment/ when the experiment merits the deception.
What is provided during the debriefing of participants?
Immediate disclosure of any deception/ withheld information.
How should you let a participant leave after having debriefed them?
In the same condition that they arrived.
What can you offer participants during their debrief?
Sources of further information
What should you allow a participant to do during their debrief?
Ask any questions.
