ethical issues

• deception


  when participants are deliberately misled about the true nature of the study - issue because informed consent can't be gained - may also cause participant to become distrustful of psychology studies in future

  dealing with it - debriefing participants after study where they're told the true nature of the study - ensures they don't leave in any confusion and can be given the chance to withdraw their data if they're unhappy
• lack of informed consent


  revealing true aims and purpose of the research to participants before giving the the choice of agreeing or refusing to participate in the research - isn't possible when: deception is being used, participants unaware they're part of research, participants unable to fully understand nature of study

  dealing with it - presumptive consent (tell people from same target audience as real participants what study involves and ask them if they'd be happy to participate)
• lack of protection form harm


  researchers responsibility to ensure participants come to no more harm than they would in everyday life - harm can refer to both physical and psychological harm - researchers should aim to ensure the participants leave the experiment in same state they arrive in - can include anxiety or stress

  dealing with it - using ethical committee of experts to decide whether or not harm in planned study is too great
• lack of right to withdraw


  participants made aware before, during and after an investigation that it is their right to leave the study at any time they choose - might be before study has started, during study or afterwards (retrospective withdrawal)

  dealing with it - reminding participants before, during and after a study that they have the right to leave - after the study this would involve withdrawing their data
• lack of confidentiality 


  participants have right for their data to remain anonymous - personal details (name) shouldn't be given away by researchers during investigations or afterwards on publication of report - keeping names confidential and any information which might allow others to identify that individual

  dealing with it - using pseudonyms such as participant A when referring to them in the research report