EXP PSY - M2

• Research ethics is closely related to the ethical principles of social responsibility
• This research covers a wide context of working with people, so the researchers raised a task not only to gain confidence in the respondents' eyes, to receive reliable data, but also to ensure the transparency of the science

  
• This module discusses the theoretical and practical topics of research, after evaluation of which ethical principles of organization and conducting the research are presented
• There is a detailed description of how and what ethical principles were followed on the different stages of the research
• Institutional Review Board (IRB)


  An administrative body established to protect the rights and welfare of human research subjects recruited to participate in research activities conducted under the auspices of the institution with which it is affiliated
• IRB


  • Responsible for reviewing, prior to its initiation, all research (whether funded or not) involving human participants
  • Concerned with protecting the welfare, rights, and privacy of human subjects
  • Has the authority to approve, disapprove, monitor, and require modifications in all research activities that fall within its jurisdiction

  
• The IRB shall have at least five members of varying backgrounds in order to provide complete and adequate review of human research and its institutional, legal, scientific, and social implications
• The Board will also include at least one member who is not affiliated with the institution and one member who is not a scientist
• The IRB has several consultants who advise the Board and are periodically involved in protocol review
• Nuremberg Code


  Codes to guide research on humans, highlighting the need for informed consent, prior animal work, qualified scientists, risk justification by anticipated benefits, avoidance of physical and mental suffering, death, or disabling injury
• Some researchers ignored the Nuremberg Code and continued to exploit the faith of the patients in the Willowbrook Hepatitis Study and the Jewish Chronic Disease Study
• Declaration of Helsinki

  A set of guidelines developed by the World Medical Association to safeguard the rights and well-being of subjects participating in clinical research
• The Tuskegee Syphilis Study conducted by the United States Public Health Service was a shocking example of unethical research that led to the establishment of the Belmont Report and ethical guidelines in various countries
• American Psychological Association (APA)


  The largest professional and scientific organization of psychologists in the United States, based in Washington, DC
• Functions of the APA

  • Advancing and promoting psychology
  • Regulating official titles
  • Publishing the official style manual
• The APA has developed a series of ethical principles through the work of the Committee on Scientific and Professional Ethics
• Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct

  • Competence
  • Integrity
  • Concern for Others' Welfare
  • Social Responsibility
• Informed Consent to Research (APA Standard 8.02)


  Psychologists inform participants about the purpose of the research, expected duration, procedures, their right to decline or withdraw, foreseeable consequences, and any prospective research benefits

  
• Psychologists


  • Honest, fair, and respectful of others in their activities of research, teaching, and practice
• Concern for Others' Welfare


  Psychologists seek to contribute to the welfare of those with whom they interact professionally
• Social Responsibility


  Psychologists are aware of their professional and scientific responsibilities to the community and the society in which they work and live
• Informed Consent to Research (APA Standard 8.02)


  1. Inform participants about the purpose, duration, procedures, right to decline/withdraw, foreseeable consequences, potential risks/discomfort/adverse effects, prospective research benefits, limits of confidentiality, incentives, and whom to contact

  2. Clarify the experimental nature of the treatment, services available to control group, means of assignment to groups, available treatment alternatives, and compensation/costs

  
• The Ethical Principles of Psychologists' requirements for consent forms include: (1) That the agreement be clear and explicit, (2) that the terms be fair and not exploitive, and (3) that the investigator honor the agreement
• Deception


  Researchers purposely mislead research subjects by providing them with false information or misdirecting them about some aspect of the research procedure and/or purpose
• Incomplete Disclosure


  Researchers withhold information about some aspect of the research from the subjects

  
• Deception or incomplete disclosure will only be permitted when the researcher documents that an alteration of the usual informed consent requirements is justified under the criteria presented in the federal regulations (45 CFR 46.116(d))

  
• Research subjects cannot be deceived about significant aspects of the research that would affect their willingness to participate or that would cause them physical or emotional harm

  
• Adequate justification for the use of deception or incomplete disclosure must be included in the IRB protocol application and should describe why the research cannot be conducted without the use of deception
• Subjects should be informed about the deception or incomplete disclosure (debriefed) as soon as possible
• Debriefing

  A crucial component of the consent process for any research involving the use of deception or incomplete disclosure, where subjects are given the full explanation of how and why they were deceived and the true hypotheses being tested

  
• Debriefing may be provided through a debriefing script, debriefing statement, or other appropriate means depending on the nature of the research
• The timing of the debriefing is important to consider depending on the nature of the research, and may involve sending information to participants after the study or providing a website for them to access debriefing information
• Debriefing

  1. Provide prompt opportunity for participants to obtain appropriate information about the nature, results, and conclusions of the research

  2. Take reasonable steps to correct any misconceptions that participants may have

  3. If scientific or humane values justify delaying or withholding information, take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of harm

  4. When research procedures have harmed a participant, take reasonable steps to minimize the harm

  
• Confidentiality


  Separating or modifying any personal, identifying information provided by participants from the data
• Anonymity


  Collecting data without obtaining any personal, identifying information
• Anonymity is typically the procedure followed in quantitative studies, and confidentiality is maintained in qualitative studies
• Confidentiality refers to a condition in which the researcher knows the identity of a research subject, but takes steps to protect that identity from being discovered by others

  
• Anonymity is a condition in which the identity of individual subjects is not known to researchers
• Protecting the welfare of animal subjects

  • Psychologists acquire, care for, use, and dispose of animals in compliance with current laws and regulations
  • Psychologists trained in research methods and experienced in the care of laboratory animals supervise all procedures involving animals
  • Psychologists ensure that all individuals under their supervision who are using animals have received instruction in research methods and in the care, maintenance, and handling of the species being used
  • Psychologists make reasonable efforts to minimize the discomfort, infection, illness, and pain of animal subjects
  • Psychologists use a procedure subjecting animals to pain, stress, or privation only when an alternative procedure is unavailable and the goal is justified
  • Psychologists perform surgical procedures under appropriate anesthesia and follow techniques to avoid infection and minimize pain
  • When it is appropriate that an animal's life be terminated, psychologists proceed rapidly, with an effort to minimize pain and in accordance with accepted procedures
• The basic premise of the APA guidelines for animal research is acceptable to further the understanding of behavioral principles and to promote the welfare of humans