ethical issues

• ethical issues:

  • conflict arises between participants rights and researchers needs
• types of ethical issues:

  • informed consent
  • deception
  • protection from harm
  • privacy and confidentiality
• informed consent:

  • need to know what theyre getting into e.g aims, procedures, rights to withdraw, data
  • make informed judgement about participating without coercion - study = meaningless and not natural if aim is known
• dealing with consent:

  • issued with consent form or form detailing relevant info
  • under 16 - signature of parental consent needed
• other ways to gain consent:

  • presumptive consent - consent from similar group
  • prior general consent - consent to a number of different studies
  • retrospective consent - asked for consent after debriefing
• deception:

  • misleading/withholding info from people at any stage of investigation - cant give full consent
  • only justified when it causes undue stress or ethics committee deem that the means justify research
• protection from harm:

  • shouldnt be placed at any more risk than daily lives
  • embarrassment, stress, pressure
  • remind participant they have right to withdraw at any time
• dealing with deception + protection from harm:

  • full debrief at end of study - made aware of aims/details e.g other groups
  • told what data would be used for - right to withhold
  • reassurance that behaviour was normal
  • if subjected to stress/embarrassment provide counselling
• privacy + confidentiality:

  • people have right to control info about themselves - if invaded, confidentiality should be protected
  • know details wont be shared + remain anonymous
  • data protection act - personal data protected
  • rights to privacy extend to areas e.g institutions/locations not named
• dealing with confidentiality:

  • personal data protected if provided - record no details, refer to using numbers/initials
  • during debriefing/briefing - reminded data would be protected throughout process
• ways of dealing with ethical issues:

  • British Psychological Society has its own BPS code of ethics with set of guidelines - researchers have duty to follow guidelines
  • guidelines ensure participants are treated with respect + consideration during each phase
  • guidelines implemented often use cost benefit approach - determines if proposals are ethically acceptable