ethical issues

• code of ethics 


  • british psychological society outlined the thical guidelines that psychologists in the UK should abide by
  • it governs the activities of all practising research psychologists
  • protects welfare of ppts and patients
  • helps maintain and promote professional standards
  • provides a framework within which psychologists work
  • guides decisions about appropriate conduct
• ethics committees 


  • committee must approve study before any research is conducted
  • they review the possible issues that may arise from the study and how the research will deal with them
  • they perform cost benefit analyses - the likely benefits of a particular piece of research is weighed up against the costs to human or animal ppts
• informed consent 


  • making ppts aware of the aims of the research, procedures and what their data will be used for
  • may make the procedure meaningless because ppts behaviour will not be 'natural' as they know the aims of the study
• right to withdraw 


  • ppts should be able to withdraw at any point of the investigation if they wish
  • they should be aware they have this right
• deception


  • deliberately misleading or withholding info from ppts at any stage of the investigation
  • it can be justified if it doesnt put the ppt under stress
• protection from harm 


  • ppts should not be placed at more risk than they would be in daily life
  • should be protected from physical and psychological harm
• privacy 


  • ppts have the right to control info about themselves
  • extends to where the study took place
• confidentiality 


  • our right to have any personal data protected
  • includes names of ppts
• how to deal with informed consent

  • ppts asked to formally indicate their agreement to participate - it may invalidate the purpose
  • offer right to withdraw - ppts may not definitely know what they have let themselves in for
  • presumptive consent - thinking and experience is different for all people
• how to deal with deception

  • if deception is used the ethics committee has to approve it based on cost to ppts and benefits of the study to psychological research - cost-benefit analysis are flawed because they involve subjective thinking
  • ppts should be fully debriefed - this does not turn the clock back
• how to deal with right to withdraw

  • all ppts should be informed before the study they have the right to withdraw at any point - ppts may feel they cant withdraw due to spoiling they study
• how to deal with protection from harm

  • avoid risks greater then everyday life - researchers not always able to predict the risks
• how to deal with confidentiality 


  • numbers/false names should replace ppt names - sometimes it is clear who ppts are (e.g ppts at school)
• how to deal with privacy

  • only observe in public places unless consented otherwise - no universal agreement as to what classes as a public place
• presumptive consent 


  • gaining consent from others rather than the ppts in question
  • can be done by asking a group of people if they think a planned study is acceptable then presume the ppts would have felt the same when given the opportunity
• consent form


  • includes - aim, task/task time, risks, info will be kept confidential, right to withdraw and any questions
• debrief 


  • one way to deal with deception is to debrief ppts after research has taken place and inform them of the true nature of the study
  • should be offered the opportunity to discuss any concerns they may have and to withdraw their data from the study
  • includes - true aim, deception if used, support/help, info will be kept confidential, contact details of researcher to get data back before data collection
  • any questions