Ethics

• What are ethical issues in psychological research?

  Considerations that researchers need to consider before, during, and after the research is conducted
• What are ethical guidelines in psychological research?

  The BPS code of ethics that researchers need to consider when undertaking psychological research
• What is the purpose of the right to withdraw in psychological research?

  To ensure participants can leave the study at any time without penalty
• What does protection from harm entail in psychological research?

  Participants should not experience any psychological or physiological harm during a study
• What should researchers do if participants experience harm during a study?

  Terminate the study if needed and remind participants of their right to withdraw
• What is an example of psychological harm in research?

  Leaving participants with lower self-esteem
• What is deception in psychological research?

  When information is deliberately withheld from participants or they are knowingly misled
• Why is deception problematic in research?

  It means participants cannot give informed consent
• What should researchers do after a study involving deception?

  Fully debrief participants and reveal the true aim of the research
• What is informed consent in psychological research?

  When participants are told the real aims and expected outcomes of a study
• What is presumptive consent?

  When others state they would take part in the research, it can be presumed that future participants would do the same
• What is prior general consent?

  Using participants who have been in previous studies where they were deceived, meaning they consented to being deceived
• What is the right to withdraw in psychological research?

  Participants should be reminded of their right to withdraw themselves or their data from the research at any point
• What does privacy mean in the context of psychological research?

  The right of individuals to decide how information about them will be communicated to others
• What should happen during the debriefing of participants?

  Participants should be informed of the real aims of the study, checked on their welfare, offered support, and have questions answered

  
• What considerations should researchers make regarding debriefing effectiveness?

  • Is a debrief effective if a participant is not listening or does not understand?
  • Is informed consent important enough to risk lowering internal validity?
  • Can people be harmed if the benefits outweigh the risks?
  • Are there times when breaking ethical guidelines is justified?