Psychology - Research Methods - BPS Ethics and issues Flashcards
Fully informed consent
Participants should be aware of the nature and purpose of the research if they agree. A full briefing is required to ensure they are fully aware of all tasks they will to do, and their rights. If they are under the age of 16, then adult consent must be gained.
What are the rights of participants
right to withdraw and confidentiality
Deception
Information shouldn’t withheld, and participants shouldn’t be misled without strong scientific or medical justification. Participants should be fully informed at the earliest possible stage and should be consulted in advance as to how deception would be received by them.
Debriefing
At the end of the study the researcher should provide detailed information about the research and answer any questions the participants might have. The participants should be monitored for any negative effects and active intervention should be given if necessary.
Right to withdraw
Must be clearly communicated at the start of the research. The participants have the right to withdraw their consent later in the study, and all their data must be destroyed.
Confidentiality
Data Protection Act, information disclosed during the research process is confidential, and if the research is published the anonymity of the participants should be protected. If this is to be compromised, participants’ consent should be asked in advance.
Protection from harm
Participants should not be put through anything they wouldn’t normally be expected to and the risk shouldn’t be greater than everyday life.
Observational research
Observational studies must respect the privacy and wellbeing of individuals studied. Unless consent has been given, observational research is acceptable in public situations only when one would expect to be observed by strangers
Giving advice
researcher might reveal physical or psychological problems of which the participant is unaware. It is the researchers responsibility to inform the participant if it’s felt that to not do so would endanger the participants future wellbeing of
What three ways are there to deal with a lack of informed consent?
Presumptive consent, Prior general consent, Retrospective consent
Presumptive consent
Consent gained from people of a similar background to participants; if they show willing to participate, consent is assumed.
Prior general consent
Participants agree to be deceived during the investigation before it takes place; each individual participant agrees.
Retrospective consent
Participants are asked for their consent (during debriefing) having already taken part in the study. They may not have been aware of their participation or they may have been subject to deception.
Ethics committee
Made of psychologists, staff and members of society to improve research proposals and examining any ethical issues
Cost benefit analysis
a systemised approach used to assess the advantages and disadvantages associated with a particular piece of research
