Lesson 9: Ethics

Question 1

Ethics

Answer 1

In addition to formal ethical guidelines, most research institutions have ethical committees. The British Psychological Society (BPS) publishes a code of ethics, which includes several rules that all investigators should follow.

Question 2

Informed consent

Answer 2

Before taking part in a psychological study, pps should sign a consent form, which should explain. The general purpose of the study and what it will involve. It should be made clear that there is no pressure to consent, that they can withdraw at any time, and that they can withdraw their data at any time.

Pps should be assured that their data will be kept confidential and they can ask the researcher questions at any time. They should be informed they will receive a full debriefing at the end of the study.

Whenever possible, investigators should inform pps of the objectives of their investigations and gain their informed consent to take part. In some cases, it is not possible to gain informed consent, as it would cause pps to alter their behaviour (demand characteristics).

Question 3

Protection from harm

Answer 3

• Investigators have a responsibility to protect pps from physical and psychological harm during the study.
• Risk of harm should be no greater than in ordinary life, psychologists must stop any study immediately if they suspect a participant may be harmed.
• Pps should leave the research in the same condition they entered it.

Question 4

Right to withdraw

Answer 4

• At the start of the study, pps should be made aware that they can leave the study at any time, regardless of whether payment or inducement has been offered
• This is difficult to implement during covert observations
• Pps should a;so be aware that they can withdraw their data at any point in the future
• If pps appear distressed during a study, they should be reminded of their right to withdraw

Question 5

Confidentiality

Answer 5

Pps data is confidential and should not be disclosed to anyone unless it has been agreed in advance. Numbers or letters should be used instead of names if the research is published. Confidentiality means that the data can be traced back to a name whereas anonymity means that it cannot be as the pps never provided their name to the researchers.

Question 6

Avoid deception

Answer 6

Withholding of information or misleading of pps is unacceptable if pps are likely to object or show unease once they have been deceived. Pps should not be deliberately misled without scientific or medical justification.

Sometimes deception is unavoidable as if pps knew the nature of the research, demand characteristics would occur. An ethics committee must approve all research before it begins. They conduct a cost-benefit analysis to determine if the research should be carried out.

Question 7

Debriefing

Answer 7

Takes place after the research. Pps are told the aim of the study and information about the other condition (if independents groups’ experimental design was used).

Researcher should check on pps welfare and remind of their right to withdraw and right to confidentiality, as well as the fact that they need to show respect to other pps e.g. maintain their confidentiality. Debriefing does not provide justification for unethical aspects of research.