Ethical Issues

Informed consent

Participants making an informed decision about participating in a study, understanding its aims, and potentially altering their behavior.

Presumptive consent

Assuming consent unless participants indicate otherwise, which may not fully ensure understanding and could impact the study's validity.

Deception

Deliberately misleading or withholding information, requiring approval from an ethics committee before use in a study.

Debriefing

Providing participants with full information after the study, although it cannot undo any potential negative effects.

Right to withdraw

Participants should be informed of their right to withdraw if they feel distressed or uncomfortable during the study.

Protection from harm

Researchers should avoid risks exceeding everyday life experiences and halt the study if harm is suspected, even if not immediately apparent.

Confidentiality

Ensuring personal information is kept private, often by using numbers or false names to protect identities, though complete anonymity may not always be possible.