british psychological society guidance

• What is the main focus of the BPS code of conduct?

  Guidance for psychologists on acceptable behavior
• What are the key principles participants should be treated with according to the BPS code?

  Respect, competence, responsibility, integrity
• What are the types of informed consent in psychological research?

  • Informed consent: given at the beginning of the study
  • Retrospective consent: given during debrief after the study
  • Prior-general consent: given to participate in multiple studies
  • Presumptive consent: based on similar group opinions
• Why might psychologists not disclose the aims of a study to participants?

  To avoid affecting the reliability and validity of the results
• What should participants be reminded of during a study?

  They can leave at any time
• What is the definition of deception in psychological research?

  Participants should not be lied to about the aims of a study
• What is the responsibility of psychologists regarding participants' protection from harm?

  Ensure physical and psychological safety at all times
• What should be done if participants feel uncomfortable during a study?

  The psychologist must address the issue immediately
• What does privacy refer to in psychological research?

  Keeping participants' information private and out of public view
• How should confidentiality be maintained in research?

  Participants' data should be anonymous and not traceable
• What are the key points regarding privacy and confidentiality in psychological research?

  • Participants' data must be anonymous
  • Names should never be disclosed
  • Data should not be shared without consent
  • Participants can request data removal
• What is the BPS code of conduct considered to be?

  A quasi-legal document for psychologists in the UK
• What must all research go through according to the BPS code of conduct?

  An ethics committee review
• What is a cost-benefit analysis in the context of research ethics?

  Evaluating the potential benefits against the risks involved
• what are the 5 bps guidelines

  informed consent

  deception

  protection from harm

  privacy

  confidentiality
• what’s a pilot study 


  small scale version of an investigation that takes place before the real investigation is conducted
• what’s the aim of a pilot study 


  • teat to check that orocedures and measurements work
  • materials used test what they are suppose to