ethics in research methods

Question 1

what are the 5 ethical considerations according to the BPS

Answer 1

DRIP-C
deception
right to withdraw
informed consent
protection from harm
confidentiality

Question 2

informed consent

Answer 2

-making participants aware of the aims of the research, the procedure, their right to withdraw and what their data will be used for
participants can then make an informed decision whether they want to partake in the research and sign in the form of a consent form illustrating that they have given full consent

Question 3

deception

Answer 3

deliberately misleading or witholding information from the participants at any stage of the investigation
pps that have not been given adequate information regarding the research or worse deliberately blatantly lied to are said to have not given informed consent even if they signed to because they did not consent to the REAL study.
there are some justified instances for deception.

Question 4

protection from harm

Answer 4

participants should not be placed at any more risk than they would be in their day to day lives this includes physical and psychological harm
an important feature is being reminded they have protection from harm

Question 5

confidentiality

Answer 5

the participants right to control the use and knowledge of information about themselves
confidentiality enshrines our right under the data protection act to have personal data protected

Question 6

dealing with informed consent

Answer 6

consent letter/form

Question 7

dealing with deception

Answer 7

debriefing be made aware of any withheld information eg existence of other groups or experimental condistions that they were otherwise unaware of

Question 8

dealing with protection from harm

Answer 8

pps may have concerns with their performance in the study so feel embarrased and reminded of right to withdraw
pps should be offered counselling by researcher if experienced any stress as a sresult of study

Question 9

dealing with confidentiality

Answer 9

if personal details are collec ted they must be protected
if anonymity is an option it is often favoured as pps are more likely to partake in the study eg using initials like HM in memory case study
during brief and debrief should be reminded of data protection agreements