Ethics in Research

Question 1

What must undergo ethical approval in relation to the field of psychology?

Answer 1

All research involving human participants.

Question 2

Why does all psychological research involving human participants have to undergo ethical approval?

Answer 2

To identify any ethical issues & how best to address them.

Question 3

What are the basic principles of best-practice ethics guidelines for psychological research?

Answer 3

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.

Question 4

While best-practice ethics guidelines for psychological research aren’t black & white, what do we err on the side of?

Answer 4

Caution

Question 5

How do we collect informed consent from participants before an experiment?

Answer 5

By using consent forms.

Question 6

Who must have the capacity to provide informed consent?

Answer 6

Our participants

Question 7

Why is the procedure of providing informed consent different for children & vulnerable persons?

Answer 7

Because they don’t have the capacity to provide informed consent.

Question 8

What is worthless in relation to informed consent?

Answer 8

Consent without information

Question 9

Why must researchers always brief participants (typically using an information sheet that participants can keep)?

Answer 9

Because consent without information is worthless.

Question 10

What do information sheets include?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

What is paramount?

Answer 11

The physical safety of our participants.

Question 12

What is no less important than the physical safety of participants?

Answer 12

Their psychological safety (e.g. levels of stress, emotional distress, anxiety, & risk of damaging future behaviour)

Question 13

What is it unethical to do to yourself as a researcher?

Answer 13

Put yourself in danger

Question 14

When can participants withdraw from a study?

Answer 14

At any point during the study

Question 15

How might a participant withdraw from a study?

Answer 15

They might just get up & walk out, &/ request that you destroy their data after the fact.

Question 16

What may become impossible once you have collected & analysed the data of a study?

Answer 16

The destruction of a participant’s data.

Question 17

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?

Answer 17

Because a participant may want it to be destroyed.

Question 18

What must you never risk disclosing?

Answer 18

Personal information

Question 19

What are a common part of psychological research?

Answer 19

IQ tests

Question 20

How can data be protected?

Answer 20

By securely storing it & keeping questionnaires separate from your data.

Question 21

How can data remain confidential?

Answer 21

By never using names (only ID numbers/ pseudonyms)

Question 22

What do we avoid doing to participants?

Answer 22

Lying to them

Question 23

How often might we not share the full details of an experiment in advance?

Answer 23

Sometimes

Question 24

When might we not share the full details of an experiment in advance?

Answer 24

Only when it’s justified by the goals of the experiment/ when the experiment merits the deception.

Question 25

What is provided during the debriefing of participants?

Answer 25

Immediate disclosure of any deception/ withheld information.

Question 26

How should you let a participant leave after having debriefed them?

Answer 26

In the same condition that they arrived.

Question 27

What can you offer participants during their debrief?

Answer 27

Sources of further information

Question 28

What should you allow a participant to do during their debrief?

Answer 28

Ask any questions.