ethical implications of research studies and theory

• ethical issues arise because of conflict between the need for valid research findings and preserving the rights of participant. Ethical guidelines protect participants and guide researchers
• Psychologists must. be aware of the consequences of research for the research participants or for the group of people represented by the research. Some research is more socially sensitive like studying depression but even seemingly innocuous research like long term memory in a student population may have consequences
• The phrasing of the research question influences how the findings are interpreted. For example, if a research study is looking. at ‘alternative relationships’ this is likely to focus on homosexual relationships and may overlook heterosexual ones because ‘alternative’ suggests alternative to heterosexual relationships
• when dealing with participants, informed consent, confidentiality and psychological harm must be considered. For example, when interviewing victims of domestic abuse, participants may worry about an ex-partner finding out what they said and also participants may find the experience of talking about abusive experiences stressful
• One strength of socially sensitive research is benefits for the group studied. The DSM-1 listed homosexuality as a ‘sociopathic personality disorder’ but finally removed it in 1973, as a result of the kinsley report. Anonymous interviews with over 5000 men about their sexual behaviour concluded that homosexuality is a normal variant of human sexual behaviour. This illustrates the importance of researchers tackling topics that are sensitive.
• One limitation of socially sensitive research is that poor research design may have a long term impact. For example, Burt’s research on IQ showed its genetic , fixed and apparent by age 11. This led to the 11+ exam which meant not all children had the same educational opportunities. Research later shown to be based on invented evidence but the system didn’t change. Therefore any socially sensitive research needs to be planned with the greatest care to ensure the findings are valid because of the enduring effects on particular groups of people