Science inquiry - ethical guidelines

psych year 12 atar

Ethical guidelines

Code of practice that are designed to be followed as a guide by people involved in psych research. Allow people to understand what is deemed right or wrong.

Role of the Ethics Committee

Review research proposals that plans to ensure that they meet the guidelines and code of ethics. They will then monitor the research study and step in to stop if there is a breech in guidelines

Protection from harm

Researchers must protect the physical and psychological wellbeing of participants

Informed consent

Researcher must obtain a written and signed informed consent from participants outlining the nature of the study.

Under 18 informed consent

Those underage or lacking the intellectual ability to give informed consent, need to have their legal guardian provide consent on their behalf

What does informed consent include

The purpose of the study, what the participants are required to do, the potential risk in partaking the the study, length of time the study will take, and explain withdrawal rights

Withdrawal rights

Participants can end their participation in a study, or have their results removed during or at the completion of the study without pressure or penalty

Confidentiality

Concerned with how the information from the participants in safeguarded. Information must be store in a secure manner and be disposed of when no longer required. If results wish to be shared the participants must anonymous eg, number allocated to each participant

Privacy

Only information relevant to the study should be collected from participants

Voluntary participation

Participants should willingly agree to take part in research without feel pressured or coerced

Deception

Intentionally withholding or altering information to mislead participants and is used when participants knowing the true purpose of the study would affect the results

Debriefing

An explanation given to participants at the conclusion of a study. If there was deception used participants must be informed of this and offered support or counselling

3 Rs in animals in research

Replacement, Reduction, Refinement

Replacement

Use alternative methods to eliminate the need for animals in the research study. Or using sentient animals, animals that don’t feel or perceive things.

Reduction

Using fewer animals in the research study

Refinement

Assessing ways in minimise potential distress or pain for animals used in research