Ethical issues and how to deal with them

Question 1

What is informed consent?

Answer 1

ps should be made aware of the aims of the research, the procedures, their rights and what the data will be used for, ps then make informed decision whether to take part or not

Question 2

What is deception?

Answer 2

Deliberately misleading or withholding information from participants (if ps have not been given adequate information, they cannot be said to have given informed consent)

Question 3

What is protection from harm?

Answer 3

the risk to participants should be no greater than in everyday life (both physical and psychological)

Question 4

What is privacy?

Answer 4

ps have the right to control information about themselves

Question 5

What is confidentiality?

Answer 5

ps right to have any personal data protected (under the Data protection act)

Question 6

What is the BPS code of conduct?

Answer 6

A quasi legal document to protect participants based on four principles: respect, competence, responsibility and integrity

Question 7

How to ensure informed consent?

Answer 7

ps should be issued with a consent letter detailing all relevant information, investigations for children under 16 require a signature from a parent/legal guardian

Question 8

How to deal with deception?

Answer 8

after study is complete, ps should receive full debrief, ps should be told what their data will be used for and their rights to withold data

Question 9

How to ensure protection from harm

Answer 9

conduct study in safe environment, researcher should provide counselling if necessary

Question 10

how to deal with confidentialitH

Answer 10

maintain anonymity, during briefing and debriefing, ps should be reminded of data protection and that their data won’t be shared

Question 11

What is cost-benefit analysis?

Answer 11

weighing up the costs and benefits of research proposals, to decide whether the research study should go ahead.