pilot studies and ethical issues Flashcards
define pilot study
Small scale version of a study carried out before the main study
what is the BPS code of conduct
BPS Code of conduct are ethical guidelines for research that was published by the British psychological Society in 1980
what was the BPS code of conduct designed to do
Protect research participants
protect the reputation of psychology
protect the reputation of psychologists
what are the 7 ethical guidelines
informed Consent
Deception
right to withdraw
protection from physical and psychological harm
Confidentiality
Privacy
debriefing
explain informed consent
Participants should be given as much information as possible about a study to enable them to make an informed judgement about whether to take part or not
who can’t give consent
children
adults not of sound mind
what are the 3 alternative ways of getting consent and explain them
Presumed consent is where a similar group of people are asked if the study is acceptable if this group agrees then the consent of the original participants is presumed
Prior general consent is where participants give their permission to take part in number of studies including the one that would involve deception
Retrospective consent is where the participants are asked for their consent when already taking part in the study
what do the BPS guidelines say about deception
should only be used when there is no alternative
should only be used with the approval of the BPS ethics committee
debriefing does not justify deception
what do the BPS guidelines say about right to withdraw
participants must know they are free to leave the study at any time
they can also refuse/ withdraw permission for their data to be used
what do the BPS guidelines say about protection from physical and psychological harm
Participant safety must be ensured
we cannot expose participants to greater risk than a normal life experiences
stress embarrassment and made to feel inadequate count as psychological harm
what do the BPS guidelines say about confidentiality
information about our participants is protected by the data protection act
participants must not be identifiable in published research
participants are given numbers or referred to by code or their initials
what do the BPS guidelines say about privacy
participants right to privacy must be maintained
should only observe people where they would be expected to be observed by others
what do the BPS guidelines say about debriefing
Participants should be debriefed following any study
this allows them to ask questions and remind them of their right withdraw
