Ethics in Psychological Research

2.5 Ethics in Psychological Research

Introduction to Ethics in Research

• Ethical issues are inherent in all psychological research and must be addressed preemptively.

• Researchers are obligated to uphold the dignity and welfare of participants as dictated by regulations and ethical guidelines.

• The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) provides a framework for ethical psychological practice.

• Key Learning Goals:

  • Summarize major ethical principles governing psychological research.

  • Discuss controversies regarding the use of animals in research.

Key Ethical Principles in Research

Voluntary Participation

• Participants must have the autonomy to decide whether to participate in a study.

• Researchers cannot coerce or unduly influence participation; however, financial or material incentives may be offered, particularly for lengthy studies (e.g., longitudinal studies).

• Incentives must be carefully structured to avoid coercion, particularly for participants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Informed Consent

• Informed consent is crucial and entails a thorough understanding of participation requirements, not merely a signature.

• It must be obtained freely, without coercion, and in understandable language tailored to participants, considering cultural diversity.

• Participants should have the freedom to withdraw at any time without repercussions.

• In cases involving minors or incapable adults, consent must also include assents from legal guardians.

Confidentiality

• Confidentiality ensures participant identity and responses are protected.

• Explicit confidentiality involves clear communication of protective measures.

• Implied confidentiality results from the researcher's actions, guaranteeing participant privacy.

• Permission for recording or transmitting participant data is essential, with risks to privacy made clear before consent is obtained.

Debriefing

• Debriefing occurs post-study and is meant to unveil any deception and clarify study hypotheses and results.

• Although not necessary for all research types, it is critical when deception has been employed.

Deception in Research

• Researchers may withhold information about the study's true purpose, often to avoid behavior alterations affecting study validity.

• Ethical clearance is challenging to obtain for deceptive studies, requiring assurance that no harm will come to participants.

The Question of Animal Research

Rationale for Animal Use

• Animals are often used in research for behavioral understanding or when human studies are impractical or unethical.

• Controversies arise when animals endure harm or pain, prompting debates over their rights.

Ethical Considerations

• Critics argue animals deserve rights equivalent to humans and that many animal studies yield results that may not apply to human behavior.

• Historical context shows initial legislation for animal testing emerged in response to unsafe product tests.

• Some propose that advancements in technology (robotics, in vitro testing) could eliminate the need for animal testing.

Animal Rights Activism

• Advocacy ranges from humane treatment to total opposition to animal testing, with large organisations like People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) having millions of members.

• Estimates indicate hundreds of millions of animals are subjected to testing yearly; however, only a small percentage pertains to psychological studies, most of which do not involve pain.

Contributions of Animal Research

• Psychological research on animals has led to significant findings influencing treatment for various medical and psychological conditions.

• The ethical discourse surrounding animal testing remains complex, and a growing awareness among psychologists is evident.