Ethical implications to research studies and theory

• Ethical implications concern the consequences that psychological research may have. Arguably this applies to all psychological research but some areas of research have greater social sensitivity than others. For example, research on long-term memory in a student population is unlikely to have consequences for individual participants, or for the broader social groups the participants represent. In addition, there are unlikely to be consequences for social policy. However, even seemingly innocuous research, such as this memory example, may have consequences in terms of exam policy.
• In contrast, a study on depression may have consequences in terms of individual participants, the wider social group they represent and for social policy. For example, an individual participant may reveal personal information that is later accessed by a prospective employer. Or the findings of the study may suggest that people with depression never fully recover and therefore are a risk as an employee. In terms of social policy, the findings could inform preferred treatment options recommended by the NHS.
• All psychological research has potential consequences but this applies to socially sensitive research in particular. Therefore all stages of planning and conducting studies are important when thinking of social sensitivity, as well as later in handling the findings.
• Sieber and Stanley warn that the way in which research questions are phrased and investigated may influence the way in which findings are interpreted. For example, Kitzinger and Coyle note how research into relationships has been guilty of a form of ‘heterosexual bias’ within which homosexual relationships were compared and judged against heterosexual norms.
• Dealing with participants: issues such as informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm may be especially important in socially sensitive research. For example, in a study on domestic abuse participants may worry that an ex-partner will find out about the study and also it is likely to be extremely stressful for participants to describe their experiences. Such participants may provide informed consent at the start of the study but not fully understand the effect of the research.
• The way findings are used: researchers should consider in advance how research findings may be used. It may impact on what data they actually collect. This is especially important because findings from research may be seen as giving scientific credence to existing prejudices, such as studies examining the ethnic basis of intelligence.
• The way findings are used: Furthermore sensitive information is exactly what the media tend to be interested in and will publicise. For example, Owen’s research on people in minimally conscious state received enormous media attention at the time, as it appeared he had made contact with patients who were thought to be ‘unreachable’.
• A strength of socially sensitive research is that it can have benefits for the group who have been studied. For example, in 1952 the DSM-1 listed homosexuality as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’ but finally removed it in 1973. This change has been credited to the Kinsey report which was based on anonymous interviews with over 5000 men about their sexual behaviour. The report concluded homosexuality is a typical expression of human sexual behaviour. This illustrates the importance of researchers tackling the topics that are sensitive.
• However, in some studies there could be negative consequences for the groups being studied, which in some cases could have been anticipated. For example, research investigating the genetic basis of criminality has found that there is a ‘criminal gene’. If this is true does it mean that someone could be convicted on the basis that they have such a gene or should they be excused because they cannot be held responsible for any wrongdoing? This suggests that, when researching socially sensitive topics, there is a need for very careful consideration of the possible outcomes and their consequences.
• Another strength is that certain groups rely on research related to socially sensitive issues. The government looks to research when developing important social policies, for example decisions related to child care, education, mental health provision, crime and so on. It is clearly preferable to base such policies on scientific research rather than politically-motivated views. Independent groups such as the ONS are responsible for collecting and analysing objective statistics about the UK’s economy, society and population. Such data is used in psychological research.
• A limitation is that poor research design may lead to erroneous findings which once in the public arena, continue to have an impact. This was the case in relation to Burt’s research because, even after the fraud was exposed, the 11+ continued to be used. Similarly, access to many independent schools is based on a child’s performance in an entrance exam taken in year 6 and is likely based on the same reasoning - that genetic potential has revealed itself by this age. Therefore any research on socially sensitive topics needs to be planned with the greatest care to ensure the findings are valid