Ethical issues and ways of dealing with them

what is an ethical issue

when a conflict or dilemma exists between participants rights and researchers need to gain valuable and meaningful data

why would a researcher not wish to reveal the true purpose of a research?

to observe more “natural” behaviour

describe informed consent

when participants know what they are getting into before taking part-making participants aware of the aims of the research and the procedures and participant rights

describe deception

deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants at any stage of an investigation-linked to informed consent

to deal with deception, participants should be given debrief at end of study and given choice to withdraw and withhold data

describe protection from harm

participants should not be placed in any more risk than they would be in their daily lives- should be protected by physical or psychological harm

describe privacy and confidentiality

privacy is having the right to control information about themselves- if this is invaded confidentiality should be protected (anonymity)

what is the BPS code of conduct and ethics

a legal document produced to instructs psychologists in the UK about what behaviour is acceptable when dealing with participants-respect, competence, responsibility and integrity