Chapter 3 Research in Psychology: An Ethical Enterprise

Ethics Because ethical decisions are rarely black and white, we need to carefully consider all the possible ethical problems that might arise from our research. Because ethical decisions are rarely black and white, we need to carefully consider all the possible ethical problems that might arise from our research. Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Ethics Review Board (ERB) – mandate is to apply guidelines to assess the ethics of research proposals. Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Ethics Review Board (ERB) – mandate is to apply guidelines to assess the ethics of research proposals.

General principles Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence Principle A: Beneficence and Nonmaleficence –Maximize benefits and minimize harm to participants. Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility Principle B: Fidelity and Responsibility –Be dependable, faithful to and honest with your colleagues, the community within which you conduct research, and the people you study. Principle C: Integrity Principle C: Integrity –Strive to be truthful, accurate, objective, and fair in all parts of the research process.

General principles Principle D: Justice Principle D: Justice –Ensure your limitations and biases do not hinder or cause others to hinder the rights of all people to be treated fairly and equally. Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity Principle E: Respect for People’s Rights and Dignity –Ensure the safety and well-being of participants, particularly children and those with special needs.

Ethical standards Competence Competence –Boundaries of Competence  When conducting research, you need familiarity with the area (through literature, coursework, and/or consultation).  If your topic involves participants from specific groups (e.g.. Arab immigrants) you need training to understand these individuals/groups before you begin your research.

Ethical standards Human Relations Human Relations –Unfair Discrimination  Should not treat people differently solely on the basis of some personal characteristic. –Sexual Harassment  Need to guard against abuses of the power you have as a researcher. –Other Harassment  Be careful in your actions toward and with your words to your participants and colleagues.

Ethical standards –Avoiding Harm  Need to consider the relative cost versus the benefits of the research. –Multiple Relationships  Important to remain independent of participants. –Exploitative Relationships  Do not take advantage of participants or research assistants. –Informed Consent  Important to clearly define the relationship between the researcher and the participants including roles and responsibilities.

Ethical standards Privacy and Confidentiality Privacy and Confidentiality –Maintaining Confidentiality  Any information gathered in your research should remain confidential. –Discussing the Limits of Confidentiality  Need to clearly explain the limits of your confidentiality and under what conditions confidentiality can be broken.

Ethical standards –Disclosures  You may reveal confidential information to others about a research participant in special circumstances. –Consultations  When consulting with others about your research do not discuss it in a way that could lead to identification of an individual. –Use of Confidential Information for Didactic or Other Purposes  If you want to present a participant’s information in detail, written consent is required.

Ethical standards Research and Publication Research and Publication –Institutional Approval  Need to provide accurate information about your proposed research to the IRB/ERB. –Informed Consent to Research  Need to include an informed consent form that provides a brief description of the purpose of your study and what the participants will be expected to do.

Ethical standards –Informed Consent for Recording Voices and Images in Research  Need to ask permission to record or photograph research participants. –Client/Patient, Student, and Subordinate Research Participants  Participation in research should be voluntary.

Ethical standards –Dispensing With Informed Consent for Research  Do not need to obtain informed consent when doing survey research or field observations as long as the research is not going to negatively affect the participants. –Offering Inducements for Research Participation  You may offer a small reward for participation but it is problematic if the incentive is too large.

Ethical standards –Deception in Research  Deception should be avoided if possible. If deception is used, be sure to reveal the purpose and importance of the deception when you debrief your participants. –Debriefing  After your research participants have completed the study, you must debrief them. Allows for the opportunity to explain details of the study not included in the informed consent and for participants to ask questions.

Ethical standards –Humane Care and use of Animals in Research  Research animals must be purchased from recognized suppliers. Follow guidelines for the care, housing, and treatment of animals in research. –Reporting Research Results  Need to report accurate data and results. If an error is discovered, the researcher has a responsibility to publish a correction. –Plagiarism  Do not present the ideas of others as your own.

Special populations Special populations include: Special populations include: –Children –Any other population of individuals who require a guardian. Obtaining consent (need both): Obtaining consent (need both): –Obtain informed consent from the parent/guardian. –Obtain assent from the participant.

Internet research Ethical guidelines have not been fully developed. Ethical guidelines have not been fully developed. Problems particularly surround informed consent and debriefing (as you cannot ensure either has occurred). Problems particularly surround informed consent and debriefing (as you cannot ensure either has occurred). When doing Internet research follow the general principles and guidelines of the code as best as you can. When doing Internet research follow the general principles and guidelines of the code as best as you can.

Bias and intellectual honesty We must strive to present our research findings objectively so that the reader is free to interpret hose findings with his or her own biases. We must strive to present our research findings objectively so that the reader is free to interpret hose findings with his or her own biases. Be aware of biases of researchers as the result of funding agencies, the commercialization of research, etc. Be aware of biases of researchers as the result of funding agencies, the commercialization of research, etc.