ethical issues

• ethical issues

  arise when conflict exists between rights of participants and the goals of research to produce valid data.
• informed consent

  • making participants aware of the aims of research, the procedures, their rights and what their data will be used for.
  • may make the study meaningless from a researcher's POV as the behaviour of participants won't be natural as they know the aims.
• dealing with informed consent

  • participants should be issued a consent letter or form detailing relevant information which may affect their decision to participate.
  • Parental consent required for children under 16
• deception

  • deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants in the investigation.
  • there are occasions when it can be justified if it doesn't cause distress.
• protection from harm

  • participants should not be placed at any more risk than they would be in their daily lives.
  • should be protected from physical and psychological harm.
  • participants should be reminded they have a right to withdraw.
• dealing with deception + protection from harm

  • participants should be given a whole debrief at the end of the study.
  • they should be made aware of true aims and any details they weren't supplied.
  • they should be told what their data will be used for and right to withdraw or withhold data.
  • researcher should provide counselling if required.
• privacy + confidentiality

  • participants have the right to control information about themselves.
  • confidentiality should be protected if privacy is invaded.
• dealing with confidentiality

  • personal details must be protected if they are held in the investigation.
  • researchers will usually maintain anonymity.
  • briefs and debriefs should remind participants that their data is protected and won't be shared.