Ethics

Question 1

4 major ethical principles

Answer 1

Respect
Responsibility
Competence
Integrity

Question 2

Why do we have ethics in research?

Answer 2

Extreme historical cases of mistreatment of participants
Follow ethical guidelines by NHS/ BPS/ APA
Protect communities from the consequences of research

Question 3

What do ethics influence when conducting studies ?

Answer 3

The WHOLE process
Whethet YOU are appropriate to do the research
How to select and conduct the participants without causing any harm
The research method
What measurement techniques are used
How to analyse the data
How to present the data in a sensitive way so no one uses it for nefarious reasons

Question 4

Who decides if a study is ethical or not?

Answer 4

Research ethics committee

Question 5

What is a research ethics committee?

Answer 5

A panel of independent academics who will approve of proposed research if it follows ethical guidelines or not at its specific institution

Question 6

How do ethics committees work?

Answer 6

Submit an application to review proposed study then await approval, if not you can mend any problem areas or come up with a new design
CANNOT CONTINUE WITHOUT THIS APPROVAL

Question 7

Respect ethical principle

Answer 7

For the dignity and inherent worth of all people/ respective communities + self determination
Sensitive to power imbalances
Treat everyone with equal moral consideration

Question 8

Competence ethical principle

Answer 8

Your ability to provide specialist knowledge, use certain methods and care for participants based on skills, experience and training
Recognising limits of knowledge

Question 9

Responsibility ethical principle

Answer 9

Participants should not be harmed in the study, no abuse of power
So no damage to Ps nor the discipline

Question 10

Integrity ethical principle

Answer 10

researchers must be open honest and accurate
transparency in the entire research process

Question 11

BPS ethical principles

Answer 11

Respect for the autonomy, privacy and dignity of the participants
Scientific integrity
Social responsibility
Maximising benefit and minimising harm

Question 12

BPS Respect for the autonomy, privacy and dignity of the participants

Answer 12

Informed consent (no coercion nor abuse of power to take advantage of someone)
Right to withdraw (knowing there will be no negative consequences)
Confidentiality and Anonymity

Question 13

Scientific integrity

Answer 13

Research should be designed , reviewed and conducted in a way that ensures its quality and contribution to the development of knowledge and understanding
Avoiding QRPs and misconduct

Question 14

How is poorly designed research unethical?

Answer 14

Wastes research
Devalues participants contributions
Leads to possibility of misleading info to the public on its findings

Question 15

QRPs

Answer 15

Questionable research practices

Question 16

Examples of QRPs?

Answer 16

Misreporting specific data that contradicts your conclusion
Misuse of statistics to tell a particular narrative

Question 17

Research misconduct

Answer 17

Unambiguous no nos

Question 18

Examples of research misconduct

Answer 18

Fabrication of data
Falsification (changing) data
Plagiarism

Question 19

BPS social responsibility

Answer 19

Work for beneficial outcomes for society
And be aware of unintended consequences of your research
ANDD work in partnership with communities, colleagues etc

Question 20

BPS maximising effort and minimising harm

Answer 20

Psychology researchers should seek to maximise benefits and minimise the cost/ harm at all stages of research

Question 21

2 basic categories of ethical responsibility

Answer 21

People
The discipline

Question 22

Ethics in the discipline

Answer 22

Avoid plagiarism
Avoid misconduct : accuracy and honesty when reporting findings

Question 23

Ethics in studying people

Answer 23

Avoiding physical and psychological distress or harm during the wntire study

Question 24

Minimal risk research

Answer 24

No induced stress, anxiety, physical pain
No invasive interventions eg drug trials
No deception
No sampling from vulnerable groups eg children who cant consent
No dealing with sensitive topics eg drug use
No risk of confidentiality
No impact on a community/persons social standing

Question 25

Confidentiality vs anonymity

Question 26

Invasive procedures

Answer 26

That changes people eg worldview, drug trials Causing pain/stress/anxiety Identity crises/ realisation of things that wouldnt occur irl

Question 27

How to minimise risk of invasive procedures?

Answer 27

Minimise long term effects: Debrief to return Ps to original state

Question 28

Deception

Answer 28

Misleading participants about the true nature of the study

Question 29

Types of deception

Answer 29

Active deception Passive deception Informed deception

Question 30

Active deception

Answer 30

Giving participants false information within the study

Question 31

Passive deception

Answer 31

Witholding important information eg aims of the study

Question 32

Informed deception

Answer 32

Participants consent to be deceived eg take part in placebo/drug trials

Question 33

When can deception be justified?

Answer 33

Must be essential for the validity eg avoid demand characteristics Unlikely to lead to much distress/ discomfort Risk management If they were debriefed at the end on the true nature of the study

Question 34

Confidentiality

Answer 34

All data participants share is kept private Especially if its sensitive So their name will not be attached to it eg experience and face no real consequence

Question 35

Exceptions to confidentiality

Answer 35

If the participant reveals info that suggests they're in physical or mental harm

Question 36

How to keep confidentiality

Answer 36

Any personal data collected is kept/stored confidential eg password protected And the findings must be kept in a way that doesnt reveal who the participant is eg their name is kept under a pseudonym

Question 37

How do we control for risk: risk management

Answer 37

Risk assessment Ask the ethics committee for advice Carefully consider the ethics with prior planning of the research

Question 38

How do we control for risk: information

Answer 38

Give participants an information sheet: Gain informed consent for participants: Tell them what the study entails/ any risks Give them free will to decline/drop out Assure confidentiality

Question 39

How do we control for risk: informed consent

Answer 39

Sign a consent form Includes key points on info in the study and their rights (to withdraw, confidentiality) Ensure we don't target vulnerable ppl who cant consent

Question 40

Who is classified as vulnerable in research?

Answer 40

People under 18 People under care People who special considerations need to be made

Question 41

How do we control for risks: Debrief

Answer 41

Always debrief so they can feel comfortable and ask questions Stating am of study, reminding of rights, what happens to data, confidentiality Giving them any support services they need

Question 42

How do we control for unexpected risks?

Answer 42

remind them they can withdraw at any moment with no consequence or penalty Remember ur role (Competence) - give advice only qualified to give if something bad pops up Talk to supervisor researcher