Research methods: Ethical Issues Flashcards
What are ethical issues ?
These arise when a conflict exists between the rights of participants in research studies and the goals of the researcher to produce authentic, valid data
Definition of confidentiality
A participants right to have personal information protected
Deception definition
Where a participant is not told the true aims of the study
Informed consent definition
Participants have the right to be given information concerning the nature and purpose of the research and their role in it in order that they can make an informed decision about whether to participate
Protection from harm definition
During research study, participants should not experience negative physical or psychological effects such as physical injury, lowered self esteem or embarrassment
Right to with draw definition
Participants should have the right withdraw from the study if they are uncomfortable in any way they also have the right to refuse permission for the researcher to use any data they produced
Anonymity
A participants right to remain nameless
Competency definition
The capacity for the researcher to deal professionally with issues that arise during the course of the program
What are the BPS code of ethics
A quasi legal document produced by British psychological society that instructs psychologists in the uk about what behaviour is and is not acceptable when dealing with participants
What is the BPS code of ethics built around
Respect
Competence
Responsibility
Integrity
Who implements the BPS’ ethical guidelines?
Ethics committees in research institutions
What do ethics committees use to determine whether research proposals are ethically acceptable
Cost- benefit approach
How do you obtain informed consent
A signed consent letter or form detailing relevant information that might affect their decision
What is presumptive consent
Rather than getting consent from the participants themselves a similar group of people are asked if the study is acceptable. If this group agree the consent of the original participants is resumed
Prior general consent
Participants give their permission to take part in a number of different studies- including one that will involve deception by consenting they consent to the study
Retrospective consent
Participants are asked for their consent (during debriefing) having already taken part in study. They may not be aware of their participation or they may have been subject to deception
What details should participants be made aware of regarding the study during debrief
True sims of the investigation
Any details they were not supplied with ( other groups or experimental conditions)
Why should participants be told their data is being used for
Because they have the right to withhold data if they wish
What is the right to withhold data ?
The right to withhold data is when the participant does not want their data to be used
When is right to withdraw particularly important?
In retrospective consent
If participants are not leaving in the same state they arrived what should be offered?
Counselling which the researcher should provide
Why does sometimes informed consent make the study meaningless?
Because participants behaviour will not be natural as they know the aims of the study
What cases can deception be justified ?
If it does not cause the participant undue distress
