Research methods- Ethics Flashcards
What is the definition of ethics?
A set of moral codes to ensure certain standards of behaviour from research (used when researching human participants).
What needs to be fulfilled before any human research can take place?
Researchers must follow and consider a set of ethical guidelines.
Britain’s guidelines are created by the British Psychological Society.
What key principles are these guidelines focused around?
-Respect
-Competence
-Responsibility
-Integrity
What are the names of the five ethical issues which must be considered before the research takes place?
-Confidentiality
-Right to withdraw
-Informed consent
-Protection from harm
-Deception
What is the explanation of Confidentiality?
Confidentiality is a legal right.
Personal influence must be protected.
Participants should not be individually identifiable.
How do they deal with the issue of Confidentiality when the researchers have not followed the guidelines?
Researchers may attempt to maintain confidentiality by using letters or numbers to represent participants instead of names.
What is the explanation of Right to withdraw?
Participants must be told that they have the option of withdraw from the study at any point.
If a participant wants to leave the study, then the researcher must destroy all of their data.
How do they deal with the issue of Right to withdraw when the researchers have not followed the guidelines?
By allowing participants to withdraw and have all of their data destroyed.
If under the age of 16 or mentally disabled, a parent/guardian has the right to withdraw them.
What is the explanation of Informed consent?
Consent means to ask permission whilst not revealing the aims of the study.
Participants should be fully informed of aims and other aspects which may affect willingness.
If under the age of 16 or mentally disabled, a parent/guardian must consent for them.
How do they deal with the issue of Informed consent when the researchers have not followed the guidelines?
Prior general consent means to inform participants of basic details of investigation, and then asked if they want to continue.
Presumptive consent involves a similar group of people to the participants being told all details, if say yes then it can be assumed actual subjects will too.
Retrospective consent means asking for consent after they have already taken part in the study. This could take place during a debriefing.
What is the explanation of Protection from harm?
Participants must be protected from physical and psychological harm.
Participants must be in the same or a better state than when they began the investigation.
How do they deal with the issue of Protection from harm when the researchers have not followed the guidelines?
Debriefing (tell about aims/ right to withdraw after the investigation) and offering counselling.
If harmed, then investigation should be ended.
What is the explanation of Deception?
Participants must not be intentionally lied to.
Only acceptable when the benefits outweigh the costs or there is no other alternatives.
How do they deal with the issue of Deception when the researchers have not followed the guidelines?
Debriefing involved participants knowing all of the studies details after they have already participated and deciding if they are still happy to participate.
