Ethical Concepts and Guidelines

Beneficence C

Commitment to maximising benefits and minimising the risks and harms involved in taking a particular position or course of action

Integrity C

Commitment to searching for knowledge and understanding, and the honest reporting of all sources of information and results, whether favourable or unfavourable

Justice C

the moral obligation to esnure that there is fair consideration if competing claims; that there is no unfair burden on a particular group from an action; and fair distribution and access to the benefits of an action

Non-Maleficence C

implies that the harm resulting from any position or course of action should not be disproportionate to the benefits from any position or course of action

Respect C

involves consideration of the extent to which living things have value; giving due regard to the wellbeing and safety

Confidentiality G

the privacy, protection and security of a particpant’s personal information and the anonymity of individual results

Debriefing G

ensure that at the conclusion of an experiment, the participant leaves undertsanding the experimental aim, results, and conclusions

any questions are addressed and support is provided to ensure there is no lasting harm from their involvement

Informed Consent Procedures G

Ensure participants understand the nature and purpose of the experiment, including the potential risks, before agreeeing to particpate

Use of Deception G

only permissable when participants knowing the true purpose of the research may affect their behaviour while participating in the study, and the subsequent validity of the experiment

Voluntary Participation G

ensures that there is no coersion of or pressure put on the particiapte to partake in an experiment, and they freely choose to be involved

Withdrawal Rights

a participant is able to discontinue their involvement in an experiment at any time during or after the conclusion of the experiment, without penalty

may include the removal of the participant’s results from the study after the study has been completed