Overcoming ethical issues

• Anonymity

  To ensure the pp is protected, researchers ensure that all data remains confidential and cannot be traced back to an individual during and after the study is published
• Retrospective consent

  after the research, their rights researcher explains the full nature of the study and asks for consent. If the pp no longer wants data to be used after having found out about the true aims, data is withdrawn
• Prior general consent

  The researcher gains consent from the pp but gives a broad overview so that anything not wanting to be revealed at this stage isn’t revealed. Any deception would then be revealed in the debrief
• Presumptive consent

  When the researcher finds a similar group of individuals to the ones who are going to be the real pps. The researcher explains the full nature of the research including any deception and asks if they would consent to take part in this study. If yes, it is assumed the real pps would also agree..
• Parental consent

  Used when pps are under the age of 16. Consent is gained from parent/guardian
• Debriefing

  Takes place at the end of the study. The pps are thanked for their time and a full explanation of the research is given. If pps were deceived, the true aim is revealed. Pps have another opportunity to ask questions and if they wish to withdraw at this stage they can still do so.
• Ethics committee at the BPS

  Submitting the research proposal for the committee to perform a cost-benefit analysis. Do the benefits of conducting the study outweigh the ethical costs? Have steps been taken to minimise the impact of the ethical issues? The committee will approve/refuse the research