Research & Ethical Issues Flashcards
extraneous variables
any variable that isn’t the IV that has an effect on the DV if it isn’t controlled
does not confound findings, makes it harder to detect them
confounding variables
a type of EV
varies systematically with the DV, so you can’t tell if the findings are due to the IV or the CV
demand characteristics
when participants consciously /unconsciously work out the aims of the study and act in accordance with that (please-U effect, screw-U effect)
investigator effects
any unwanted influence of the researcher on the outcome of the research
randomisation
using chance methods to reduce researcher bias when designing the experiment to reduce investigator effects
standardisation
when the experimental method uses the same set of procedures on all participants so that any procedural changes don’t become an EV
privacy and confidentiality
P has a right to control their data, and if privacy is lost, their confidentiality must be protected
often dealt with by taking no personal information in the first place
informed consent
P must be made aware of the aims, procedure, data usage and their rights and should then make an informed judgement on their participation
P must be issued a consent form with all relevant info and then sign it
deception
must not deliberately mislead or withhold info from P but can be justified if it doesn’t cause undue distress
dealt with by debrief after where they are made aware of the deception. if needed, researcher must provide counselling
protection from harm
the experiment should not place the P at more harm than daily life would and they should be protected from physical and psychological harm
dealt with by doing a post research debrief and providing counselling if needed
BPS code of conduct
British Psychological Society has a code of conduct with guidelines researchers must observe when conducting research. these guidelines are enforced by an ethics committee, who often use cost-benefit analysis to determine if a study is ethical
