Research Ethics & Integrity w9 + w1 bits Flashcards
What are ethics?
Moral behaviour, how we should act - therefore how researchers should act.
What were the Nazi human experiments conducted in the Third Reich and concentration camps?
Hypothermia exp: tanks of freezing cold water, measured time to death - to treat + prevent hypothermia for soldiers. High altitude exp: low pressure chambers - understand airmen ejecting at HA. Treatment: infected + maimed to test trt disease+wounds
What was the Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment?
600 African-Americans with syphilis, 400 weren’t told or treated - could’ve been = many died unnecessarily + infected others as a result of not knowing. Eventually stopped after a leak.
Why get ethical approval? - its not a legal requirement
Required if a member of BPS, and required by university and the research funder ERSC. Also to be published in a journal - requires ethical review + approval.
What is the process of getting ethical approval within the school?
All studies are reviewed and can only proceed with approval. Committee reads proposal, decisions are guided by external policies - nurem, Helsinki, Belmont, BPS, funding bodies, local laws.
What is consent?
All aspects influencing willingness should be given to ppts - informed of all objectives where possible. Consider level of understanding - age, mental capacity - parental consent + child assent.
Why is deception an issue?
Some deception is allowed in order to not reveal the aim of the study - but it is unacceptable if unease is shown after the debrief.
What is debriefing?
Deception should be resolved, individual should be returned back to their original emotional/physical state.
What is confidentiality?
Need to assure that personal info will not be revealed - sexuality, attitudes towards contro subjects, mental health. Unless a child/vulnerable adult is at risk, money laundering or terrorism prevention. Or if individual/others health at risk - e.g. tumour discovered.
Anonymity vs confidentiality?
Anonymous data can be stored indefinitely - cant be traced back to individuals. Confidential data can be traced back, is stored for a stated length of time but should be anonymised asap. ppts can withdraw it.
What is scientific fraud?
e.g. collecting 2 different DVs but only reporting one. Stopping data collection once desired result is found - earlier than usual. Changing/falsifying data. Ok to be wrong but not to lie.
How does journal hierarchy and publication bias contribute to scientific fraud?
There is a hard cut off point for significance. Interesting results are more likely to get published + in better journals. Publication record can affect getting a job/promotion and being awarded research funding.
How to improve situation o f scientific fraud?
Open data - reduce opportunities for scientific fraud - entire datasets are published alongside the article.
What is the Belmont report?
Protection of human subjects in biomedical and BEHAVIOURAL research. Respect for ppts - consent not deception. Maximise benefit + minimise risk. No exploitation of poor/vulnerable ppl to further research.
What is the BPS code of conduct for practitioners?
Covers both research and clinical practice. Based on ethical principles of respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.
What is the BPS code of human research ethics?
Respect for autonomy + dignity = ppts no subjects. Social responsibility, scientific value, maximise benefit minimise harm.
What are the BPS guidelines to be followed at all times?
Ethical approval required for every study, consent, no deception, debriefing, right to withdraw, confidentiality.
What is the Nuremberg code, following the Nuremberg doctor trials?
Areas of ethical consideration: informed consent, right to withdraw, avoidance of risks (pain + suffering), scientific validity (of experimenter + study). Forms basis of ethical conduct codes for medical, scientific + psych research.
What is the Declaration of Helsinki?
By the world medical association, not legally binding - recommendations. Obtain consent, minimise harm, control ppts given best possible treatment following study. Research Ethics Committee.
What did Popper say?
Data cannot prove a hypothesis is true - should falsify a hypothesis rather than try to confirm them.
What did Kuhn say?
Normal scientists ignore abnormalities until a crisis = a change in world view leading to a paradigm shift, when a dominant paradigm emerges.
What is basic research?
Research designed to understand fundamental psychological phenomena - e.g. stimulus factors affecting selective attention
What is applied research?
Research designed to shed light on solving real-world problems - e.g. effect of phone use while driving
Which type of realism is more critical, experimental or mundane? In relation to lab and field studies?
Experimental realism is more critical - found more in labs. Labs have minimal mundane realism, field have maximum.
What is quantitative research?
Includes quantitative data and statistical analysis
What is qualitative research
Includes narrative descriptions, content analysis, interviews
