Ethical issues

• Define ’ethical issues‘

  These arise when conflict exists between the rights of ppts in research and the goals of the research to produce valid data
• Define the ‘BPS code of ethics‘

  A quasi-legal document produced by the British Psychological Society that instructs psychologists in the UK about what behaviour is/is not acceptable when dealing with ppts
• What are the 4 major principles of the ‘BPS code of ethics’

  1.Respect

  2.Competence

  3.Responsibility

  4.Integrity
• Define ‘informed consent’

  Involves making ppts aware of the aims of research, the procedure, their rights and what the data will be used for then making a decision on whether to take part or not
• How to deal with ‘informed consent‘

  1.Consent letter

  2.Presumptive consent = ask a similar group

  3.Prior general consent = give permission to numerous different studies (inc. one that involves deception)

  4.Retrospective consent = asked post study
• Define ‘deception’

  Means deliberately misleading or withholding information from ppts
• How to deal with ‘deception’

  Give full debrief
• Define ‘protection from harm‘

  Ppts should not be at any more risk as they would be in their daily lives (physically and psychologically)
• How to deal with ‘protection from harm’

  Counselling
• Define ‘privacy‘


  Refers to ppts having the right to control info about them
• Define ’confidentiality‘

  Refers to our right by law (Data Protection Act) any personal data should be protected
• How to deal with ‘privacy and confidentiality‘

  1.Maintain anonymity (use fake names)

  2.Mention in briefing/debriefing that personal data will not be shared