Research Methods: ethical issues

Question 1

What is the difference between consent and informed consent?

Answer 1

consent is simply agreeing to take part whereas informed consent is agreeing to take part whilst knowing the nature of the study.

Question 2

How could you get consent?

Answer 2

verbal or written agreement

Question 3

Define confidentiality.

Answer 3

to ensure the personal identity and data of participants is kept completely private.

Question 4

How can you avoid confidentiality becoming an ethical issue?

Answer 4

by having anonymous questionaires or assigning participant numbers

Question 5

What is deception.

Answer 5

this involves either lying to participants or misleading them by witholding information.

Question 6

How can you get around deception as an ethical issue.

Answer 6

At the end of the study, the researcher should debrief the participants

Question 7

What is protection from harm?

Answer 7

participants must leave the study in the exact same frame of mind in which they started.

E.g. no psychological/physical harm
no unethical research will go ahead

Question 8

Explain what is meant in psychology by the right to withdraw?

Answer 8

Participants have the right to leave the study at any time without pressure.

participants should be reminded of this at the beginning, during the study and at the end of the debrief.

Question 9

What things should the debrief include?

Answer 9

thank participants for taking part

tell them the true nature of the study

remind them of their right to withdraw and give contact details

confidentiality will be assured

any questions?