Ethics

• What does PC DRIP stand for to do with ethics?

  Privacy, Confidentiality, Deception, Right to withdraw, Informed consent, Protection from harm.
• What is privacy, how is it dealt with and what are the limitations?

  Persons right to control their own information. Observations should be done in public places and personal questions should not be asked. Consent should be gained. But there is no universal agreement on what constitutes a public place.
• What is confidentiality, how is it dealt with and what are the limitations?

  Protection of sensitive personal information. Researchers should anonymise participants with codes or numbers. But it is sometimes possible to work out who the participants are when using initials.
• What is deception, how is it dealt with and what are the limitations?

  Participants are not aware of the true aims. Should be approved by ethics committee, participants must be debriefed after. But the ethics committee cannot always predict what harm may come before the study is conducted and sometimes a debrief is not enough and counselling is needed.
• What is the right to withdraw, how is it dealt with and what are the limitations?

  Participants can leave at any time and their data is removed even after the study is over. Participants should be told this and can keep payments even if they leave. But some participants may feel like they cannot withdraw as it will spoil the study and incentives are used.
• What is informed consent, how is it dealt with and what are the limitations?

  Valid consent based of comprehensive information. Participants should fill out a consent form and if deception is involved retrospective consent should be gained. But demand characteristics can occur if the participants know the aims of the study.
• What is protection from harm, how is it dealt with and what are the limitations?

  Participants shouldn’t experience negative effects on health beyond what they would experience in day to day life. Studies should be designed harm free and should be stopped if harm is suspected. But it can be difficult to predict if the participant will experience psychological harm.
• What must psychologists do when working with animals?

  Follow relevant legislation. Replace animal use with technology if possible. Consider the species and their strain. Use as minimal animals as possible. Ensure there is no harm involved. Provide appropriate animal care during experiment.
• What does a ethics committee do?

  Administer cost-benefit analysis. Organise valid consent. Ensure participants have and know their right to withdraw. Ensure participants are fully debriefed.
• What is done when working with vulnerable individuals in experiments?

  For under 16s valid consent must be given by a suitable adult (proxy consent). The individuals needs must be considered to reduce stress and keep confidentiality. The researcher should assess their willingness to participate.