Ethics Flashcards
(23 cards)
What are ethical issues?
Problems in research from conflict between rights of PPs and the aims of the researcher
What are ethical guidelines?
A set of rules designed by professionals on how research should be carried out
What are the 6 key issues?
Privacy, confidentiality, protection from harm, right to withdraw, deception and informed consent
What is privacy and how is it dealt with?
Zone of inaccessibility of the mind and body and trust it will not be invaded.
Not asking about personal sensitive information, observations done in public
What is a limitation of privacy?
Very difficult to avoid when studying PPs without their awareness, not a universal agreement on what a public place is
What is confidentiality and how is it dealt with?
communication of info from one to another and trust it will be protected.
Fake names, data protection (legal right)
what is a limitation of confidentiality?
May be obvious who is involved even with anonymity
What is deception?
PPs are not told true aims of a study
How is deception dealt with?
Approved by ethics committee, fully debriefed after study, told true nature, issues and concerns dealt with at debrief, given right to withdraw
What are limitations of deception?
Told true aims may cause PPs to act differently, cant give informed consent, decisions from ethics committees are subjective, debrief might not be enough
What is right to withdraw and how is it dealt with?
PPs can leave at anytime and can withdraw data.
Always be aware of this, distress from young children should be interpreted as them wnating to withdraw
What is a limitation of right to withdraw?
From researcher POV may be necessary to keep PPs until task is completed, may feel like they cant leave
What is protection from harm and how is it dealt with?
Preventing risks greater than experienced in everyday life.
Should design studies so PPs dont come into any greater harm than everyday life stop if harm is suspected, PPs should be in same state after study
What are issues with privacy?
Cannot always predict potential harm
What is informed consent and how is it dealt with?
PPs voluntarily agree to participate after understanding the aims, risks and benefit.
Obtain at debrief, presumptive consent (asking group similar to PPs if they would take part)
What is an issue with informed consent?
If given too much info, it may invalidate results, may agree to take part but not fully understand
What is and ethics committee?
Weigh up benefits of research against cost to participants, looks at all possible ethical issues and how it is suggested they are dealt with
What problems are posed for the members?
Cost-benefit decisions are flawed as they involve subjective judgements, cost is not always apparent.
Who produces ethical guidelines?
The British Psychological Society
What is the legislation working with animals is governed by?
Animal (scientific) Procedures Act 1986
What are the 3 licence’s?
Lab, researcher, project
What are the three R’s proposed by Russel and Birch
Replace - animals with alternatives
Reduce - no of animals used
Refine - procedures so they cause less suffering
What is working with animals only granted if?
Results important enough to justify ethical issues
Minimum no of animals used
Minimise suffering
Environment should be taken into account
