ETHICAL GUIDELINES AND SOCIAL RESEARCH.

Good psychological research is possible only if there is mutual respect and confidence between investigators and participants. Ethical guidelines are necessary to clarify the conditions under which psychological research is acceptable. (British Psychological Society, )

The fundamental ethical question in psychological research is `Does the end justify the means?` : a balance must be struck between the interests of the participants and the value of research.

Ethics is that which is deemed acceptable in human behaviour in pursuit of certain goals or aims. It is not simply a question of right, but of balance between the interests of the participant and the scientific value of the research.

1990 BPS Ethical Guidelines – Summary1990 BPS Ethical Guidelines – Summary.( Human Research ) ( Source : British Psychological Society, The Psychologist, vol. 3. No. 6, June )

Basically ethics is all about what you can and can’t do with participants.

Definition An ethical issue is a clash between what the researcher needs to do to get valid results and the rights of the participants.

CONSENT Participants should give informed consent. In studies involving children, informed parental consent should be obtained. Payment should not be used to induce risk taking behaviour. Special safeguarding procedures are necessary with subjects with limitations in communication or understanding or where unable to give real consent.

Why is consent an issue? Sometimes it is difficult to get fully informed consent if this means greater demand characteristics. Think of an appropriate example to demonstrate this point.

DECEPTION. Intentional deception over the purpose of the investigation should be avoided where possible. There must be strong medical or scientific justification for any deception. Appropriate consultation with disinterested colleagues or ethics committees must precede the investigation if it involves deception.

Why is deception as issue? Active deception involves lying to participants whilst they are doing the study Think of an example Passive deception involves no deception during the study but pps are unaware of the true aim of the research Think of an example

CONFIDENTIALITY. The source of all information should remain confidential. Legislation, including the Data Protection Act, should be adhered to. If confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, the subject should be duly warned.

Why is this an issue When research is published it may be that pps can be identified and this may be embarrassing or damaging to their own careers etc. Example

DEBRIEFING Participants should be fully debriefed. Participants experience should be discussed to assess any negative effects. Debriefing should be in the form of active intervention before leaving the research setting.

Why can this be a problem Some field experiments involve the unwitting general public and this could make debriefing difficult. Example?

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE INVESTIGATION. Subjects should be aware of the right to withdraw at any time. This may be done retrospectively by refusing permission for their data to be used.

Why is this a problem? Researchers spend years gathering data and one missing pp could ruin their research. Many situations involve the pps not knowing they are taking part in research so how can they withdraw?

PROTECTION OF PARTICIPANTS. Participants should be protected from physical or mental harm. Participants should be asked of any factors which may create risk; i.e. medical conditions. Any risk should be no more than could be expected in the course of normal daily lifestyle. There should be the opportunity to contact the investigator at a later date if distress does occur.

Protection from Harm Can you think of examples where the participants have not been protected? Was the harm anticipated? How could this have been overcome?

Protection from harm. -S-Some subjects suffered psychologically; trembling, sweating, stuttering. -P-Possible long term effects of learning that they had given potentially lethal electric shocks to others.

OBSERVATIONAL RESEARCH. Observation should be only carried out in places where people could expect to be observed by strangers, unless specific permission is obtained beforehand. Care should be taken about the invasion of privacy.

GIVING ADVICE. If an investigator comes across a problem that the subject may be unaware, he has a duty to inform the subject, if he believes failure to do so will cause harm or distress. The investigator should refrain from giving advice if he is not competent to do so and should recommend suitable courses of action.

Main ethical issues to consider. C D C D W P AN O AN’T O ITH ARTICIPANTS

C D C D W P ONSENT ECEPTION ONFIDENTIALITY EBRIEFING ITHDRAWAL ROTECTION