ethical issues

• BPS

  • governing body of UK psychologists
  • public ethical guidelines that all must follow
  • protects participant rights and well being
  • risk of job loss if not followed
• Ethical issues

  • Informed consent
  • Deception
  • Confidentiality
  • Debrief
  • Right to withdraw
  • Protection from harm
  • Privacy
• Informed consent

  • Giving participants info about the study (aim, procedure etc.)
  • so they can make an informed decision
  • Can tell aims at end of study if it would ruin research
  • Participants are told they can leave any time- right to withdraw
• Deception

  • Participants should not be misled or lied to about the aims of the study without justification
  • Acceptable to mildly deceive (withhold some info)
  • Major deception can be acceptable only if the benefits outweigh the ethical costs of research
• Protection from Harm

  • Participants should not be at risk
  • psychological/physical health should be protected at all times
  • Stress and embarrassment are included in this
  • Reminding participants they can leave at any time
• Confidentiality

  • Personal data and identity should be protected and respected- kept anonymous
• Privacy

  • Participants should have the right to control their data and how it is used
  • This is not always possible – field experiments.
  • It is acceptable to observe people in public places but a public place can be quite private e.g a conversation in a restaurant
• Dealing with Informed Consent

  • Researchers should produce a letter explaining what the study will involve – consent form.
  • Participants should then sign consent form
  • U16s – parents give consent
  • If it isn't possible at the start, they sign a form at the end of the study- RETROSPECTIVE CIONSENT
  • If consent can't be obtained, researcher must have very good reason.
• Dealing with Deception

  • Can decide to withdraw during study and right to withdraw data at the end
  • Participants should be debriefed at the end to explain the true aims and reduce any distress
• Dealing with Protection from Harm

  • If participants feel any discomfort from completing the study, psychologist is responsible for "fixing" it.
  • May be offered counselling
  • Told they can withdraw at any time during the study
  • FULL debrief
• Dealing with Privacy/Confidentiality

  • Keep data safe
  • Participants should remain anonymous e.g. can be reffered to by a number or initials
  • Can also decide to keep location of study anonymous
• What are ethical issues?

  • An ethical issue is when there is a conflict between the rights of participants to remain safe and protected and the need for researchers to gain valuable data
  • The well being of participants must be protected at all times
• The BPS guidelines

  • a code of conduct that every professional psychologist in the UK must follow in order to deal with ethical issues in their research