L9 - Ethical Issues in Research

Question 1

What are the four ethical principles in research?

Answer 1

• Respect for Autonomy and dignity of individuals
• Beneficence - acting to bring benefits and improve QoL
• Non-maleficence - avoid anything that’ll bring harm
• Distributive Justice - act in an equitable and just way towards individuals

Question 2

What are the key elements of the HCPC Standards of conduct, performance and ethics?

Answer 2

• Promote and protect interests of SUs & their carers
• Practice within the legal and ethical boundaries of your profession
• Be aware of the impact of culture, equality and diversity on practice
• Be able to practice in a non-discriminatory manner
• Be able to communicate effectively

Question 3

Capacity to consent?

Answer 3

• People are assumed to have capacity unless established otherwise
• If ability to give consent is limited, researchers must consult with whoever has responsibility for the participants welfare
• Researchers must demonstrate adherance to relevant legislation for the client group
  
  • MCA 2005
  • The Children Act 1995

Question 4

What is a consultee?

Answer 4

• A person who is directly engaged in caring for the participant (not ‘staff’)
• Can be consulted on if they think the participant would want to be involved in the project
• If there is no appropriate adult to act as the consultee, and independent from the project can act as a ‘nominated consultee’

Question 5

Can children consent?

Answer 5

• The Children Act, 2005
• The best interests of the child supersedes any other interest
• The child should be given the opportunity to give their informed consent to participate

Question 6

What to include in the letter of invitation?

eg

Answer 6

• Title of the project
• Who you are
• What the project is about and why you’re carrying it out
• Requesting the persons help
• What engaging with the project would entail
• Reference to the information sheet (PIS)
• Contact details
• Thanking them for their time

Question 7

What to include in the PIS?

(participant information sheet)

Answer 7

• Provide sufficient information to allow the invitee to make a reasoned and informed decision re participating
• Should acknowledge the 4 ethical principles

Question 8

How does respect for autonomy relate to the PIS?

Answer 8

• Share adequate information for them to make a reasonable and informed decision
• Purpose of the study
• Benefits of taking part
• Include details of potential consequences
• Protect the rights of vulnerable people
• Allow the participants to make choices free from duress or inducement
• Ensure they know they have a right to withdraw without a fear or repercussions
• Guarantee a right for confidentiality & let them know what you’ll do with their data
• Guarantee a right to anonymity
• Consider capacity

Question 9

How does beneficence and non-maleficence relate to the PIS?

Answer 9

• Avoid/minimise harm - there must be net benefit over harm
• Be aware of the level of risk
• Avoid deception
• Maintain confidentiality
• Maintain anonymity
• Debriefing

Question 10

What needs to be included in consent forms?

Answer 10

• Seperate sheet
• Use guidlines as provided by the ethics approval committee
• Should confirm:
  
  • Participant has been given information and have understood what the project is about
  • Who has provided the information
  • What is the participant agreeing to do?
  • The particpants knowledge that they can withdraw at any time without impact on their treatment, care, employment etc in any way.

Question 11

How can the readability of a piece of writing be tested?

Answer 11

• Following DoH guidelines on how to lay out information
• SMOG readability calculator
• Plain English Campaign
• FOG scale - compares syllables and sentence lengths