Ethics

• What is an Ethical Issue?

  The awareness of what is right and wrong to do during a study.
• What does the BPS stand for and what are they?

  • British Psychological Society
  • They dictate the ethical guidelines that every psychologist must follow.
  • Helps psychologist maintain there reputation of psychology.
• What are the 4 ethical principles of psychology?

  • Respect
  • Competence
  • Responsibility
  • Integrity
• What comes under Respect?

  • Informed Consent
  • Right to Withdraw
  • Confidentiality
• What comes under Responsibility?

  • Protection of Participants
  • Debrief
• What comes under Integrity?

  • Deception
• Informed Consent

  • Researcher should always inform participants all aspects of the study and obtain consent from them.
  • Do this through a consent form where all information is provided on the study.
  • Under 16's need permission of parents or guardians to take part.
• Right to Withdraw

  • Researchers inform participants throughout the study they can stop at any point if they don’t want to continue.

  • This is includes not including there data in the results.

  • Before, During and After.

  • Include in the debrief, standardised instructions and consent form.
• Confidentiality

  • Information obtained about participants must be confidential unless said so.

  • Data will not be traced back.

  • Prevent this by not using names, numbers or pseudonym.
• Protection of Participants

  • Researchers must prevent participants from having any physical or mental harm done to them.

  • Ensure that participants know they have the right to withdraw in the debrief at the end of the study.

  • Procedure must be safe.
• Debrief

  • A written or verbal statement that includes information about the study and what will happen to the data that they have collected.

  • Included at the end of the study.
• Deception

  • The withholding of information from participants about any aspect of the study.

  • Researcher must be fully honest to participants unless they cannot.

  • Tell them in the standardised instructions and consent form.