Ethical issues

• Types of ethical issues

  Informed consent

  Deception

  Protection from harm

  Privacy and confidentiality
• What are ethical issues?

  When conflict exists between the rights of the ppts in research studies and the goals of research to produce authentic, valid, worthwhile data
• Informed consent


  • Ppts should be made aware of the aims of research, procedures, data usage and their right to withdraw
  • Ppts should then make an informed judgement whether or not to take part
  • Some researchers may argue this may decrease the level of natural behaviour ppts will exhibit as they know the study
• Deception


  • Deliberately misleading or withholding information from ppts
  • Ppts who have not been adequately informed cannot said to be given informed consent
  • Some deception can be justified if it does not cause stress to ppt
• Protection from harm


  • Ppts should not be placed at any more risk than their usual lives
  • Should be protected from physical and psychological harm
  • Ppts should not be made to feel embarrassed, inadequate or undue stress/pressure
  • Ppts should be reminded they have a right to withdraw from study at any time
• Privacy and confidentiality 


  • Ppts have the right to control information about themselves (right or privacy)
  • If invaded, confidentiality should be protected
• Dealing with ethical issues: BPS Code of conduct

  • Has a set of ethical guidelines for researchers to follow as apart of their duty\
• Dealing with informed consent

  • Ppts should be issues with a consent letter/form with relevant information that may affect their decision to participate
  • Signing this means informed consent has been given
  • If under 16, parental consent signature is required
• Dealing with deception and protection from harm: debriefing

  • Ppt should be:
  • given full debrief
  • made aware of true aims and any details not given pre-study
  • made aware of other groups/experimental conditions
  • must be told what their data will be used for
  • must be given a right to withhold data if they wish
  • If subject to stress, researcher should provide counselling
• Dealing with confidentiality 


  • Ppts must be referred to as numbers or initials to maintain anonymity