Ethics

• What is the acrostic for ethics?

  DRIPP = deception, right to withdraw, informed consent, privacy, physical/psychological harm
• Define deception

  Withholding information from / or / misleading a participant

  • This can be trivial (e.g. not explaining fully the aim) or can be substantial (e.g. deliberately giving false information)
  • Sometimes necessary as knowing all of the information would lead to demand characteristics & a change in behaviour.
  • Ppts cannot give fully informed consent as they are dont known what they are participating in, maybe taking part in a research that goes against their wishes or beliefs
• Give 2 resolutions to deception

  1.     Debriefing – should restore the individual to the same state as they started the experiment = Involves telling the ppts the true aims of the research and allowed to discuss their feeling about the experiment.

  2.     Right to withhold information – occurs during debriefing =  ppts have the right to withdraw their data if they are unhappy etc.
• Define right to withdraw

  Ppts have the right to leave the experiment whenever they no longer wish to participate

  • They should be told of their rights before and after the experiment.
  • They can leave at any time throughout the experiment, and all data gathered so far must be destroyed.
  • Ppts who are not given the right to withdraw may feel stressed and therefore are not protected from harm.
• What is the resolution to right to withdraw?

  Right to withdraw at beginning, middle and end of experiment (at any time)
• Define informed consent

  Ppts should give full consent when they participate in an experiment

  • They have been given all the information so that they can make an informed decision as to whether to participate or not
  • If not all information is given, then participants may be giving consent to something that goes against their beliefs or wishes. This may lead to issues related to psychological harm.
  • The greater risks in the study, the greater the importance on fully informing ppts
• Give 4 resolution to informed consent (types of consent)

  1.     Retrospective – giving consent after participating in experiment.  Usually used when ppts do know they are in an experiment.

  2.     Parental – necessary when ppt is under 16. Consent should also be sought from the child.

  3.     Presumptive - gaining consent from others. Presumed that if others feel they would consent under these circumstances then those participating are likely to give consent.

  4.     Prior general - gaining consent from ppts to participate in a range of studies including some which would involve deception.
• Define privacy

  Under the Data Protection Act all people have the legal right to confidentiality

  
  

  • No information must be given that would make the identification of the ppt obvious
  • Ppts do not use their names but rather are allocated a number, in case studies a false name or initials are used
  • Should only be observed in places and situations where they would be expected to be observed
  • Should not be asked uncomfortable questions to avoid embarrassment and shame.
• Give 2 resolutions to privacy

  1.     Names of ppts should not be recorded; researchers should use numbers, initials or false names.

  2.     No one should be observed without their informed consent unless in a public place.
• Define psychological/physical harm 


  All ppts have the right to be protected against undue risk during an experiment

  • Ppts should leave the experiment in the same state as they were at the beginning of the experiment. If not, = long term psychological/physiological effects = affect lives in the future.
  • Should experience no more harm than would be expected in real life. (incl. embarrassment, loss of dignity, lowered self-esteem, psychological harm and physiological harm)
• Give 3 resolutions to psychological/physical harm

  1.     Using Questionnaires – asking how they might behave in the situation to be studied rather than have them participate.

  2.     Debriefing – reassuring people about their behaviour; allowing discussion; providing counselling and follow up.

  3.     Right to Withdraw