ethics

• guidelines of British Psychological Society

  -protection from psychological & physical harm

  -fully informed consent

  -avoiding deception

  -debriefing

  -right to withdraw

  -confidentiality

  -privacy
• protection from psychological & physical harm


  -study acceptable if risk of harm no greater than P likely to face in normal life & if Ps in same state after as were before
• fully informed consent 


  -told aim of study

  -told what they're expected to do

  -so they can decide whether they want to participate
• avoiding deception


  -sometimes necessary to deceive true aim > could alter behaviour & study becomes meaningless

  -Ps shouldn't deceive Ps without good cause

  -reasonably acceptable if withholds some details

  -true aims always revealed in debrief
• right to withdraw


  -if uncomfortable/distressed can withdraw
• confidentiality 


  -remain anonymous

  -no names in results

  -known as numbers
• how to deal with fully informed consent


  -Ps must be informed about true aims

  -complete consent form before study

  -sign they're happy to take part
• dealing with deception/ungiven consent


  -Ps fully debriefed after study > told true aim

  -if not happy about being deceived, can withhold their data
• when to read a debrief


  -read debrief to Ps before you analyse results
• what to include in debrief


  -thank Ps

  -explain study's true purpose

  -explain different conditions

  -explain results you expect to find & why

  -enough detail a non-psychology student can understand

  -explain right to withdraw data

  -Ps should contact you if want to withhold data