Ethical implications and social sensitivity

• Can Do, Can’t Do With Participants

  Consent

  Participants must be fully informed about the experiment before it starts - we do this be giving them a consent form

  What does it include?

  Aim of the research/ procedure/ the fact they can leave the experiment at any time if they wish (right to withdraw)

  Pts can then make an informed decision about whether they want to take part.
• Can Do, Can’t Do With Participants

  Deception

  Participants should not be lied to or misled about the aims of a study.

  Sometimes it is necessary to withhold some information people about the purpose of the experiment.

  Why? 

  It is only permitted if the benefits of the research justify this action
• Can Do, Can’t Do With Participants

  Confidentiality

  The identities of the participants in an experiment should be kept private (protected) and it should not be possible to identify them from the published research.

  To protect their privacy, their personal details should not be accessible and pts are anonymous.
• Can Do, Can’t Do With Participants

  Protection from harm

  Participants should not be harmed or distressed during the experiment. This must be considered carefully in the design of the experiment, and also reflected on during the debriefing of participants.

  Part of protection from harm is reminding pts that they are free to leave the investigation at any time
• Can Do, Can’t Do With Participants

  Privacy

  = refers to a person’s right to control information about themselves

  Often tricky if we’re conducting observations when people are unaware they’re being watched, but we must maintain their right to privacy

  We should only observe people where they would expect to be observed by others in public places…
• Right to withdraw (and consent forms)

  In order to gain informed consent fully, every participant should be given a consent form at the start of the study which outlines the full aims and procedure. In this they should be given the right to withdraw their data at any point and should be reassured that any data will be kept confidential.

  If participants cannot give informed consent prior to the study, then these steps should be completed after the study

  = Deals with issues around informed consent
• Debriefing

  One way to address any potential ethical issues (particularly deception and protection from harm) in research is by debriefing your participants. 

  At the end of your study, you tell your participants the true aims and nature of your research and what it’s purpose was.

  If at this point they feel uncomfortable, their data should be removed from the study and they should be offered support.

  = Deals with issues around deception and protection from harm
• Ethical implications of research

  = concern the way that research impacts on those who take part in the research and also on the way the findings are communicated to the public and how the findings are used.

  = psychologists have focused mainly on the implications of findings that are socially sensitive.

  What does it mean?

  = any research that might have direct social consequences for the participants in the research or the group that they represent.
• Ethical implications of psychological research

  Sieber and Stanley also identified 10 types of ethical issues that relate especially to social sensitive research:

  1. Privacy:

  pts may reveal more than they intended

  2. Confidentiality: Pts may be less willing to divulge info in the future if confidentiality is breached and further related research could be compromised

  3. Valid methodology: Therefore invalid findings. Scientists may be aware of it but NOT the media or public
• Ethical implications of psychological research

  4. Deception: include self-deception whereby research may lead people to form untrue stereotypes (ie women are less good at maths) which then affects one's own performance

  5. Informed consent: pts may not fully understand what is involved

  6. Equitable treatment: all pts should be treated in an equitable manner

  7. Ownership of data: some issues involve the sponsorship of research and the public accessibility of the data
• Ethical implications of psychological research

  8.Scientific freedom: scientists have duty to engage in research and have obligation not to harm pts as well as institutions

  9. Values: scientists seek general law (nomothetic) whereas pts are interested in ind.

  10. Risk/benefit ratio: hard to determine.
• What do Sieber and Stanley (1988) discuss regarding research processes?

  They highlight social consequences of research
• Why is it important to consider the wider impact of research?

  To avoid reinforcing harmful stereotypes
• What is a potential consequence of research giving 'scientific credence' to stereotypes?

  It may reinforce racial biases in society
• What should researchers consider regarding the use of their research?

  What the research will be used for
• What is a worst-case scenario for incorrect use of research?

  Political misuse leading to harmful policies
• What issue is raised regarding the validity of past research?

  It was often presented as objective but wasn't
• What stance should modern researchers take towards their work?

  They should adopt a reflexive stance
• Why is it important for researchers to be aware of their own bias?

  To enhance the validity of their research
• What is a key ethical implication of research according to Sieber and Stanley?

  Social sensitivity must be considered