Research Methods- Ethical issues and ways of dealing with them Flashcards
Ethical issues -
These arise when a conflict exists between the rights of participants in research studies and the goals of research to produce authentic, valid and worthwhile data.
BPS code of ethics -
A quasi-legal document produced by the British Psychological Society (BPS) that instructs psychologists in the UK about what behaviour is and is not acceptable when dealing with participants. It is built around four major principles: respect, competence, responsibility and integrity.
What are ethical issues in psychological research?
Ethical issues arise when there is a conflict between participants’ rights and researchers’ needs to obtain meaningful findings, potentially affecting participants’ safety and wellbeing.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent involves informing participants about the study’s aims, procedures, their rights (including the right to withdraw), and how their data will be used, allowing them to make an informed decision to participate.
Why might informed consent be problematic for researchers?
Participants who know the study’s aims may not behave naturally, potentially compromising the validity of the findings.
What is deception in psychological research?
Deception involves deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants, preventing them from giving fully informed consent.
When might deception be justified?
Deception may be justified if it does not cause undue distress, such as not revealing the existence of different experimental conditions to avoid influencing participants’ behavior.
What is protection from harm in research?
Participants should not be exposed to more risk than in their daily lives and must be protected from physical and psychological harm, including stress, embarrassment, or feelings of inadequacy.
What is the right to withdraw?
Participants have the right to leave the study at any point if they feel uncomfortable or distressed.
What is privacy in psychological research?
Privacy refers to participants’ right to control information about themselves, ensuring their personal details are not disclosed without consent.
What is confidentiality?
Confidentiality ensures that participants’ personal data is protected, often by anonymizing data or using codes instead of names.
What is the BPS code of conduct?
The British Psychological Society (BPS) provides ethical guidelines that researchers must follow to ensure participants are treated with respect and consideration.
What is the role of ethics committees?
Ethics committees review research proposals using a cost-benefit approach to determine if they are ethically acceptable.
What is debriefing?
Debriefing occurs at the end of a study, where participants are informed of the true aims, any deception used, and how their data will be used. They are also reassured about their performance and given the right to withhold data.
How is informed consent typically obtained?
Participants are given a consent form detailing the study’s purpose, procedures, and their rights, which they sign to agree to participate. Parental consent is required for participants under 16.
Why is debriefing important?
Debriefing addresses any concerns participants may have, ensures they leave the study without distress, and allows them to withdraw their data if they wish.
How is confidentiality maintained in research?
Researchers protect participants’ identities by using numbers, initials, or anonymizing data, and they inform participants about data protection during briefing and debriefing.
What should researchers do if participants experience distress?
Researchers should provide counseling or support to participants who experience stress or embarrassment as a result of the study.
What is retrospective consent?
Retrospective consent involves participants agreeing to the use of their data after the study, particularly if they were deceived during the research.
What is anonymity in research?
Anonymity means ensuring participants cannot be identified, often by not recording personal details and using codes or pseudonyms.
What is an example of deception in research?
In an energy drink study, participants might not be told about another group drinking water to prevent their behavior from being influenced.
What is an example of protecting privacy?
In a case study, researchers might refer to participants by initials (e.g., “HM”) instead of using their full names.
What is the cost-benefit approach in ethics?
Ethics committees weigh the potential benefits of the research against the risks to participants to determine if the study is ethically acceptable.
What is the importance of ethical guidelines in research?
Ethical guidelines ensure participants are treated with respect, their rights are protected, and the research is conducted responsibly.
What is the purpose of a consent letter or form?
A consent letter or form provides participants with all necessary information to make an informed decision about participating in the study.
What happens if researchers violate ethical guidelines?
Researchers may face professional consequences, such as losing their job, but they are not typically subject to legal penalties.
What is the significance of the right to withdraw?
The right to withdraw ensures participants can leave the study if they feel uncomfortable, protecting their wellbeing and autonomy.
How do researchers address potential psychological harm?
Researchers debrief participants, reassure them about their behavior, and provide counseling if necessary to mitigate any harm caused by the study.
