Research methods: ethics

Question 1

Ethical issues

Answer 1

Moral concerns arising from research

Question 2

Deception

Answer 2

Deliberately misleading or falsely informing participants about the nature of research

Question 3

Valid consent

Answer 3

Includes giving participants enough information so they can make an informed choice if they want to participate

Question 4

Risks of stress, anxiety, humiliation or pain

Answer 4

Research that can induce more than minimal pain by repetitive or prolonged testing. Invasive testing (drugs or physical exercise) would not usually be encountered in everyday life so considered unethical

Question 5

Risks to participants’ values, beliefs, relationships, status, or privacy

Answer 5

Likely to be focusing on socially sensitive topics and includes potentially sensitive data

Question 6

Confidentiality

Answer 6

Third parties shouldn’t be able to trace info back to individual participants. Provide anonymity

Question 7

Working with vulnerable individuals

Answer 7

Children under 16, those lacking mental capacity, people in care or custody, or criminals. Issues of consent

Question 8

Working with animals

Answer 8

Strictly controlled. Restrictions on type of animal, care, number of animals all controlled. Must be licensed and stop unnecessary pain or death

Question 9

Ethical guidelines

Answer 9

Provide set of moral principles that guide research

Question 10

Ethical committees

Answer 10

Board that is in place ensures that proposed research meets the standards of ethical codes of conduct and guidelines

Question 11

Debriefing

Answer 11

A method which aims to ensure participants are aware of the true nature of the study. Should return the participant back to original state