Semester 2 Lecture 3 - Research Ethics Flashcards
What key issues are covered by the BPS’ guidelines for conducting ethical research with human participants?
Coercion, Consent, Deception, Debriefing, Withdrawal, Anonymity and confidentiality, protection of participants, and giving advice.
What are the ethical guidelines for coercion in research with human participants?
participation in research is voluntary, participants can leave at any time they want, participants should not incur penalties for not participating in the study, and the potential reward should not coerce the participant.
What are the ethical guidelines for consent in research with human participants?
Whenever possible, participants should have to give informed consent prior to taking part in a study. They must be aware of what is required of them, and anything that may affect their desire to participate. They must not be pressured, coerced or otherwise unduly induced into taking part.
What are the ethical guidelines for deception in research with human participants?
Some experiments will actively deceive participants, by hiding the true nature of the study. Deception can be necessary as some things cannot be studied without it, but it should be used sparingly and with good reason. Most commonly, studies are able to conceal information without outright lying.
What are the ethical guidelines for debriefing in research with human participants?
When study is over participants should receive a full debrief which includes full understanding of research and if deception was used, why it was necessary. Some experimental manipulations (such as bad mood) may not go away on their own, a good debrief will include should include tools such as mood repair tasks to ensure participants do not continue to feel these effects. And when studying sensitive topics, additional sources of information/help should be provided.
What are the ethical guidelines for Withdrawal in research with human participants?
Withdrawal is basically revoking consent, participants should not be trapped in a study, they must be made aware they can leave at any time, additionally, they can request that their data be destroyed and excluded from any analysis. (For a reasonable period of time after the study ends).
What are the ethical guidelines for anonymity and confidentiality in research with human participants?
Anonymity means knowing about your participant’s identity. Wherever possible data should be collected anonymously (this includes not collecting a name, or data so specific you can identify someone). Where data cannot be collected anonymously (like interviews) data should be anonymised and original data should be destroyed. Confidentiality is who has access to your data. Data must be kept confidential, especially for non-anonymised data. In your informed consent, you must include whom you share your data, with, how data will be stored, and how long you will keep data.
What are the ethical guidelines for protection of participants in research with human participants?
In general, participants should not be subject to more harm than they would encounter in their usual daily life. The researcher must provide contact info for any complaints or any unforeseen consequences. If personal/private information is gathered, participant should be protected from stress by all available means(such as making items optional).
What are the ethical guidelines for giving advice in research with human participants?
If participant displays signs of mental or physical illness and does not appear to be aware of such, the researcher has a duty to inform them. A researcher should not give the participant advice on serious issues unless they are specifically qualified in relevant area.
What are the limits to anonymity and confidentiality?
As a researcher, you have a duty of care to your participants, which can mean breaking anonymity or confidentiality. When participant is: in danger, committing a crime, or in some instances past crime. When researching sensitive topics, think about whether you want to deal with these types of situations, in some extreme cases, your data may become part of a criminal investigation.
How do guidelines for observational research differ?
Generally, you do not need informed consent if people can be expected to be observed anyway (such as public spaces). This does NOT apply to privately own spaces like clubs or shopping malls.
Who is included in vulnerable populations?
children younger than 16, prisoners, people with diagnosed mental health problems.
What are some of the additional guidelines for vulnerable populations?
If they cannot give informed consent, you must obtain consent from a caregiver. Materials should be adjusted to fit your participants. You may need to do a DBS check (disclosed and barring service; criminal record check).
True or False: In research with animals, you are independently responsible for obtaining the animals you are going to use in a study?
False, laboratory animals must be supplied from home office designated breeding and supply establishments.
True or False: the BPS guidelines permit studies with animals which may end with the need to dispose of animals?
True. The BPS states that if an animal must be killed then it must be done as humanely and painlessly as possible under the guidance of a veterinary surgeon.
